title: Formula milk feeding does not increase the release of the inflammatory marker calprotectin, compared to human milk.
abstract: Calprotectin is a protein released into stools, used as a marker of inflammation in inflammatory bowel diseases. We tested the hypothesis that cow's milk protein in formula milk may increase the intestinal release of calprotectin, as a consequence of a subclinical inflammatory reaction. At 12 weeks of age, we measured fecal calprotectin by an immunoenzyme assay (Calprest, Eurospital, Trieste, Italy), in 38 exclusively breastfed and in 32 exclusively formula-fed infants. Fecal calprotectin levels were not different in the two groups (p = 0.09), although a trend to higher values in infants with colic, or with family history of allergies was noted. This suggest that, in general, formula milk does not promote activation of an intestinal inflammatory reaction, compared to human milk, although a subclinical activation of the inflammatory response in infants at risk for allergic diseases may be present.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Cardiology, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, Italy. luca.rosti@gmail.com
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rosti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Braga
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fulcieri
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sammarco
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Manenti
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Costa
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001903:Bottle Feeding; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002417:Cattle; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008892:Milk / Q000378:metabolism; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000378:metabolism*; D009749:Nutrition Surveys
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex