Milk fat globule membrane plus milk fat increase docosahexaenoicacid availability in infant formulas

Abstract

Purpose Milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) has components with emulsifer properties that could afect the provision of substrates to the brain. We evaluated the efects of MFGM plus milk fat addition to infant formulas on docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) availability and gut development. Methods In Experiment 1, suckling piglets were divided into 3 groups: Group L1 (n=8): fed with a vegetal fat formula with palm oil; L2 (n=8): canola oil formula and L3 (n=8): milk fat+canola oil+1% Lacprodan (3% MFGM of total protein content). In Experiment 2, Group L4 (n=7): fed with canola oil+1% Lacprodan (3% MFGM) and Group L5 (n=5): milk fat+canola oil+2% Lacprodan (6% MFGM). All formulas contained 0.2% DHA and 0.2% arachidonic acid. Results In Experiment 1, DHA was similar among the groups in both total fatty acids and plasma phospholipids (PL). However, 3% MFGM (L3) increased signifcantly the proportion of DHA and LC-PUFA n-3 in liver total fatty acids, jejunum, and also in jejunum PL respect to the other formulas. There were no changes in gut histology, cell proliferation, apoptosis, or brain DHA content. In Experiment 2, higher MFGM dose was used. Then, higher DHA was not only found in peripheral tissues of 6% MFGM (L5) piglets but also in plasma PL, while a similar trend was observed in cortex PL (p=0.123). Conclusion In conclusion, MFGM plus milk fat may increase DHA availability of infant formulas which could contribute to their benefcial health efects.