Motilin and gastrin secretion and lipid profile in preterm neonates following prebiotics supplementation: a double-blind randomized controlled study.
BACKGROUND
Gut hormones play an important role in the adaptation of the immature neonatal gut, and their secretion may be modulated by prebiotics. Furthermore, prebiotics are well known for their hypolipidemic potentials. We tested the hypothesis that prebiotics could alter motilin and gastrin secretion and reduce lipids in healthy preterms.


METHODS
A total of 167 newborns were randomized to either a prebiotics enriched formula containing dietary oligosaccharides (short-chain galacto-oligo-saccharides/long-chain fructo-oligo-saccharides [scGOS/lcFOS]), at a concentration of 0.8 g/100 ml, or a common preterm formula. Day 1 and 16 basal motilin, gastrin concentrations, and lipids were evaluated together with growth parameters, gastric residue, bowel habits, and feeding tolerance. Adverse events including necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and septicemia were also recorded.


RESULTS
Mean motilin increase and day 16 mean values were greater for the intervention, compared with the control group (P = .001, P = .005, respectively), while gastrin remained high in both groups. Mean cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) increase were significantly greater in the control, compared with the intervention (P = .037, and P = .001) group. Day 16 LDL levels were significantly higher in the control group. Mean weight was increased in the control group, while gastric residue was less and stool frequency was increased in the intervention group. NEC and septicemia were not statistically different between groups.


CONCLUSIONS
A prebiotics enriched formula resulted in significant surge of motilin relating to reduced gastric residue, compared with a common preterm formula. Mean cholesterol change was lower, while LDL was not increased in the prebiotics group, compared with the control group.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, General District Hospital "Alexandra," Athens, Greece vasipapaki@gmail.com.
Maria
M
Dasopoulou
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, General District Hospital "Alexandra," Athens, Greece.
Despina D
DD
Briana
Division of Neonatology, University of Athens, "Aretaieion" Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Theodora
T
Boutsikou
Department of Psychology, Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, Athens, Greece.
Eirini
E
Karakasidou
First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Eleftheria
E
Roma
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, General District Hospital "Alexandra," Athens, Greece.
Christos
C
Costalos
Division of Neonatology, University of Athens, "Aretaieion" Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Ariadne
A
Malamitsi-Puchner
D000328:Adult; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003672:Defecation / Q000187:drug effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005243:Feces; D005260:Female; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000187:drug effects; D005755:Gastrins / Q000378:metabolism*; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000378:metabolism; D006128:Growth / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D041943:Infant Formula / Q000737:chemistry*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000378:metabolism*; D009037:Motilin / Q000378:metabolism*; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D056692:Prebiotics; D011247:Pregnancy; D018805:Sepsis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D055815:Young Adult
D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D005755:Gastrins; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D056692:Prebiotics; D009037:Motilin; D002784:Cholesterol
gastrin; lipids; motilin; prebiotics; preterm neonate