Urinary D-lactate excretion in infants receiving Lactobacillus johnsonii with formula.
OBJECTIVE
Supplementation with certain probiotics can improve gut microbial flora and immune function but should not have adverse effects. This study aimed to assess the risk of D-lactate accumulation and subsequent metabolic acidosis in infants fed on formula containing Lactobacillus johnsonii (La1).


METHODS
In the framework of a double-blind, randomized controlled trial enrolling 71 infants aged 4-5 months, morning urine samples were collected before and 4 weeks after being fed formulas with or without La1 (1 x 10(8)/g powder) or being breastfed. Urinary D- and L-lactate concentrations were assayed by enzymatic, fluorimetric methods and excretion was normalized per mol creatinine.


RESULTS
At baseline, no significant differences in urinary D-/L-lactate excretion among the formula-fed and breastfed groups were found. After 4 weeks, D-lactate excretion did not differ between the two formula groups, but was higher in both formula groups than in breastfed infants. In all infants receiving La1, urinary D-lactate concentrations remained within the concentration ranges of age-matched healthy infants which had been determined in an earlier study using the same analytical method. Urinary L-lactate also did not vary over time or among groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Supplementation of La1 to formula did not affect urinary lactate excretion and there is no evidence of an increased risk of lactic acidosis.
Haschke-Becher
Elisabeth
E
Central Laboratory, University Hospital of Neurology, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria. e.haschke-becher@salk.at
Brunser
Oscar
O
Cruchet
Sylvia
S
Gotteland
Martin
M
Haschke
Ferdinand
F
Bachmann
Claude
C
D000140:Acidosis, Lactic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000652:urine*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D007773:Lactates / Q000652:urine*; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008895:Milk, Human; D019936:Probiotics
D007773:Lactates