Iron absorption from an iron-fortified follow-up formula with and without the addition of a synbiotic or a human-identical milk oligosaccharide: a randomized cross-over stable isotope study in young Thai children

Pornpimol Scheuchzer, Sangsom Sinawat, Anne-Sophie Donzé, Christophe Zeder, Sabatier Magalie, Marc Garcia-Garcera, Cristian Ricci, Thavatchai Kamontham, Michael B Zimmermann, Jeannine Baumgartner

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Previous studies showed that pre- and probiotics may enhance iron absorption. Probiotics combined with prebiotics (synbiotics), including human-identical milk oligosaccharides (HiMOs), are commonly added to infant and follow-up formula (FUF). Whether these additions enhance iron absorption from iron-fortified commercial milk formula is uncertain. Objectives: We determined the effect of adding 1) a synbiotic [galacto-oligosaccharide [GOS] + Limosilactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri)] or 2) the HiMO 2′-fucosyllactose (2′FL) to iron-fortified FUF on iron absorption in young Thai children. Methods: In a randomized, controlled, single-blinded (participants) crossover study, 82 Thai children aged 8–14 mo were enrolled to consume single servings (235 mL) of FUF with isotopically labeled ferrous sulfate (2.2 mg iron) with 1) the synbiotic (400 mg/100 mL GOS and L. reuteri DSM 17938), 2) the HiMO 2′FL (100 mg/100 mL), and 3) without synbiotic and 2′FL (control) in random order and a 3-d washout period between administrations. Fractional iron absorption [FIA (%)] was assessed by measuring erythrocyte incorporation of isotopic labels 14 d (n = 26) and 28 d (n = 76) after consumption of the last test FUF. Results: Median (IQR) FIA from iron-fortified FUF with the synbiotic [8.2 (5.2, 12.9)%] and with 2′FL [8.4 (5.5, 14.1)%] did not differ from the control FUF [8.1 (4.8,14.7)%] (synbiotic compared with control, P = 0.24; 2′FL compared with control, P = 0.95). FIA from all FUF did not differ when measured after 14 and 28 d of erythrocyte incorporation (Time, P = 0.368; FUF, P = 0.435; Time × FUF, P = 0.937). Fecal pH and hemoglobin were negatively associated with FIA. Conclusions: In young Thai children, the addition of a synbiotic (GOS + L. reuteri) or 2′FL to iron-fortified FUF did not impact FIA from a single serving. The study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04774016.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2988-2998
Number of pages11
JournalThe Journal of nutrition
Volume154
Issue number10
Early online date21 Aug 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2024

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