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Mikulic N, Uyoga MA, Stoffel NU, Derrien M, Nyilima S, Kostopoulos I, Roeselers G, Chenoll E, Mwasi E, Pironaci G, Karanja S, Bourdet-Sicard R, Zimmermann MB. Prebiotics increase iron absorption and reduce the adverse effects of iron on the gut microbiome and inflammation: a randomized controlled trial using iron stable isotopes in Kenyan infants. Am J Clin Nutr 2024; 119:456-469. [PMID: 38042412 PMCID: PMC10884607 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2023.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Iron fortificants tend to be poorly absorbed and may adversely affect the gut, especially in African children. OBJECTIVE We assessed the effects of prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides/fructo-oligosaccharides (GOS/FOS) on iron absorption and gut health when added to iron-fortified infant cereal. METHODS We randomly assigned Kenyan infants (n = 191) to receive daily for 3 wk a cereal containing iron and 7.5 g GOS/FOS (7.5 g+iron group), 3 g (3-g+iron group) GOS/FOS, or no prebiotics (iron group). A subset of infants in the 2 prebiotic+iron groups (n = 66) consumed 4 stable iron isotope-labeled test meals without and with prebiotics, both before and after the intervention. Primary outcome was fractional iron absorption (FIA) from the cereal with or without prebiotics regardless of dose, before and after 3 wk of consumption. Secondary outcomes included fecal gut microbiota, iron and inflammation status, and effects of prebiotic dose. RESULTS Median (25th-75th percentiles) FIAs from meals before intervention were as follows: 16.3% (8.0%-27.6%) without prebiotics compared with 20.5% (10.4%-33.4%) with prebiotics (Cohen d = 0.53; P < 0.001). FIA from the meal consumed without prebiotics after intervention was 22.9% (8.5%-32.4%), 41% higher than from the meal without prebiotics before intervention (Cohen d = 0.36; P = 0.002). FIA from the meal consumed with prebiotics after intervention was 26.0% (12.2%-36.1%), 60% higher than from the meal without prebiotics before intervention (Cohen d = 0.45; P = 0.007). After 3 wk, compared with the iron group, the following results were observed: 1) Lactobacillus sp. abundances were higher in both prebiotic+iron groups (P < 0.05); 2) Enterobacteriaceae sp. abundances (P = 0.022) and the sum of pathogens (P < 0.001) were lower in the 7.5-g+iron group; 3) the abundance of bacterial toxin-encoding genes was lower in the 3-g+iron group (false discovery rate < 0.05); 4) fecal pH (P < 0.001) and calprotectin (P = 0.033) were lower in the 7.5-g+iron group. CONCLUSIONS Adding prebiotics to iron-fortified infant cereal increases iron absorption and reduces the adverse effects of iron on the gut microbiome and inflammation in Kenyan infants. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03894358.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadja Mikulic
- Laboratory of Human Nutrition, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mary A Uyoga
- Laboratory of Human Nutrition, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicole U Stoffel
- Laboratory of Human Nutrition, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Suzane Nyilima
- Public and Community Health Department, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | | | | | - Edith Mwasi
- Paediatrics Department, Msambweni County Referral Hospital, Msambweni, Kenya
| | - Giulia Pironaci
- Laboratory of Human Nutrition, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Simon Karanja
- Public and Community Health Department, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Michael B Zimmermann
- Medical Research Council Translational Immune Discovery Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford, United Kingdom.
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Nienaber A, Uyoga MA, Dolman-Macleod RC, Malan L. Iron Status and Supplementation during Tuberculosis. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11030785. [PMID: 36985358 PMCID: PMC10055784 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11030785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) is characterised by chronic non-resolving inflammation. The effects of the host immune and inflammatory response to reduce iron acquisition by the bacteria, together with other contributing factors, predispose TB patients to anaemia of infection and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA). The presence of anaemia in TB patients has been linked to poor clinical outcomes. However, due to the reliance of the bacteria on iron, the management of anaemia in TB is complicated, and anaemia of infection is likely to resolve with correct TB drug treatment. On the other hand, IDA may require iron supplementation. This review aims to describe iron metabolism in TB and how this contributes to the development of iron deficiency and anaemia. Additionally, we summarise the evidence on the association between iron status and clinical outcomes as well as the available preclinical and clinical trials on iron supplementation in TB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arista Nienaber
- Centre of Excellence for Nutrition, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa
| | - Mary A Uyoga
- Centre of Excellence for Nutrition, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa
| | - Robin C Dolman-Macleod
- Centre of Excellence for Nutrition, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa
| | - Linda Malan
- Centre of Excellence for Nutrition, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa
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Derrien M, Mikulic N, Uyoga MA, Chenoll E, Climent E, Howard-Varona A, Nyilima S, Stoffel NU, Karanja S, Kottler R, Stahl B, Zimmermann MB, Bourdet-Sicard R. Gut microbiome function and composition in infants from rural Kenya and association with human milk oligosaccharides. Gut Microbes 2023; 15:2178793. [PMID: 36794816 PMCID: PMC9980514 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2023.2178793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The gut microbiota evolves rapidly after birth, responding dynamically to environmental factors and playing a key role in short- and long-term health. Lifestyle and rurality have been shown to contribute to differences in the gut microbiome, including Bifidobacterium levels, between infants. We studied the composition, function and variability of the gut microbiomes of 6- to 11-month-old Kenyan infants (n = 105). Shotgun metagenomics showed Bifidobacterium longum to be the dominant species. A pangenomic analysis of B. longum in gut metagenomes revealed a high prevalence of B. longum subsp. infantis (B. infantis) in Kenyan infants (80%), and possible co-existence of this subspecies with B. longum subsp. longum. Stratification of the gut microbiome into community (GMC) types revealed differences in composition and functional features. GMC types with a higher prevalence of B. infantis and abundance of B. breve also had a lower pH and a lower abundance of genes encoding pathogenic features. An analysis of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) classified the human milk (HM) samples into four groups defined on the basis of secretor and Lewis polymorphisms revealed a higher prevalence of HM group III (Se+, Le-) (22%) than in most previously studied populations, with an enrichment in 2'-fucosyllactose. Our results show that the gut microbiome of partially breastfed Kenyan infants over the age of six months is enriched in bacteria from the Bifidobacterium community, including B. infantis, and that the high prevalence of a specific HM group may indicate a specific HMO-gut microbiome association. This study sheds light on gut microbiome variation in an understudied population with limited exposure to modern microbiome-altering factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muriel Derrien
- Advanced Health & Science, Danone Nutricia Research, Palaiseau, France,CONTACT Muriel Derrien Advanced Health & Science, Danone Nutricia Research, Palaiseau, France
| | - Nadja Mikulic
- Laboratory of Human Nutrition, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mary A Uyoga
- Laboratory of Human Nutrition, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Empar Chenoll
- ADM-Biopolis, ADM, Parc Cientific Universitat de Valencia, Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Eric Climent
- ADM-Biopolis, ADM, Parc Cientific Universitat de Valencia, Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Adrian Howard-Varona
- ADM-Biopolis, ADM, Parc Cientific Universitat de Valencia, Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Suzane Nyilima
- Public and Community Health Department, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Nicole U Stoffel
- Laboratory of Human Nutrition, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Simon Karanja
- Public and Community Health Department, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Bernd Stahl
- Advanced Health & Science, Danone Nutricia Research, Utrecht, The Netherlands,Department of Chemical Biology & Drug Discovery, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Michael B Zimmermann
- Laboratory of Human Nutrition, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Raphaëlle Bourdet-Sicard
- Advanced Health & Science, Danone Nutricia Research, Palaiseau, France,Raphaëlle Bourdet-Sicard Advanced Health & Science, Danone Nutricia Research, Palaiseau, France
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Uyoga MA, Mzembe G, Stoffel NU, Moretti D, Zeder C, Phiri K, Sabatier M, Hays NP, Zimmermann MB, Mwangi MN. Iron Bioavailability from Infant Cereals Containing Whole Grains and Pulses: A Stable Isotope Study in Malawian Children. J Nutr 2021; 152:826-834. [PMID: 34958374 PMCID: PMC8891185 DOI: 10.1093/jn/nxab406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Compared with infant cereals based on refined grains, an infant cereal containing whole grains (WGs) and pulses with adequate amounts of ascorbic acid to protect against absorption inhibitors could be a healthier source of well-absorbed iron. However, iron absorption from such cereals is uncertain. OBJECTIVE We measured iron bioavailability from ferrous fumarate (Fefum) added to commercial infant cereals containing 1) refined wheat flour (reference meal), 2) WG wheat and lentil flour (WG-wheat-lentil), 3) WG wheat and chickpea flour (WG-wheat-chickpeas), and 4) WG oat flour (WG-oat) and from ferrous bisglycinate (FeBG) added to the same oat-based cereal (WG-oat-FeBG). METHODS In a prospective, single-blinded randomized crossover study, 6- to 14-mo-old Malawian children (n = 30) consumed 25-g servings of all 5 test meals containing 2.25 mg stable isotope-labeled iron and 13.5 mg ascorbic acid. Fractional iron absorption (FIA) was assessed by erythrocyte incorporation of isotopes after 14 d. Comparisons were made using linear mixed models. RESULTS Seventy percent of the children were anemic and 67% were iron deficient. Geometric mean FIA percentages (-SD, +SD) from the cereals were as follows: 1) refined wheat, 12.1 (4.8, 30.6); 2) WG-wheat-lentil, 15.8 (6.6, 37.6); 3) WG-wheat-chickpeas, 12.8 (5.5, 29.8); and 4) WG-oat, 9.2 (3.9, 21.5) and 7.4 (2.9, 18.9) from WG-oat-FeBG. Meal predicted FIA (P ≤ 0.001), whereas in pairwise comparisons, only WG-oat-FeBG was significantly different compared with the refined wheat meal (P = 0.02). In addition, FIAs from WG-wheat-lentil and WG-wheat-chickpeas were significantly higher than from WG-oat (P = 0.002 and P = 0.04, respectively) and WG-oat-FeBG (P < 0.001 and P = 0.004, respectively). CONCLUSION In Malawian children, when given with ascorbic acid at a molar ratio of 2:1, iron bioavailability from Fefum-fortified infant cereals containing WG wheat and pulses is ≈13-15%, whereas that from FeBG- and Fefum-fortified infant cereals based on WG oats is ≈7-9%.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Glory Mzembe
- Training and Research Unit of Excellence (TRUE), Blantyre, Malawi,School of Public Health and Family Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Nicole U Stoffel
- Laboratory of Human Nutrition, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Diego Moretti
- Laboratory of Human Nutrition, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland,Swiss Distance University of Applied Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christophe Zeder
- Laboratory of Human Nutrition, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Kamija Phiri
- Training and Research Unit of Excellence (TRUE), Blantyre, Malawi,School of Public Health and Family Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Magalie Sabatier
- Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences, Nestlé Research, Société des Produits Nestlé S.A., Vers-Chez-Les-Blanc, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nicholas P Hays
- Nestlé Product Technology Center—Nutrition, Société des Produits Nestlé S.A., Vevey, Switzerland
| | - Michael B Zimmermann
- Laboratory of Human Nutrition, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martin N Mwangi
- Training and Research Unit of Excellence (TRUE), Blantyre, Malawi,School of Public Health and Family Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Blantyre, Malawi
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Mikulic N, Uyoga MA, Paganini D, Mwasi E, Stoffel NU, Zeder C, Karanja S, Zimmermann MB. Consumption of a Single Dose of Prebiotic Galacto-Oligosaccharides Does Not Enhance Iron Absorption from Micronutrient Powders in Kenyan Infants: A Stable Iron Isotope Study. J Nutr 2021; 151:1205-1212. [PMID: 33693741 DOI: 10.1093/jn/nxab007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long-term feeding of prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) increases iron absorption in African infants, but the underlying mechanism and how long GOS need to be fed to infants to achieve an increase in absorption is uncertain. OBJECTIVES In Kenyan infants, we tested whether the addition of GOS to a single test meal would affect iron absorption from a micronutrient powder (MNP) containing ferrous sulfate (FeSO4) and another MNP containing ferrous fumarate (FeFum) and sodium iron ethylenediaminetetraacetate (NaFeEDTA). METHODS In a randomized-entry, prospective crossover study, iron deficient (87%) and anemic (70%) Kenyan infants (n = 23; mean ± SD age, 9.9 ± 2.1 months) consumed 4 stable iron isotope-labeled maize porridge meals fortified with MNPs containing 5 mg iron as FeFum + NaFeEDTA, or FeSO4, either without or with 7.5 g GOS. The primary outcome, fractional iron absorption (FIA), was assessed by erythrocyte incorporation of isotopic labels. Data were analyzed using a 2-way repeated-measures ANOVA. RESULTS There was no significant interaction between GOS and the iron compounds on FIA, and the addition of GOS did not have a significant effect on FIA. There was a statistically significant difference in FIA between the meals fortified with FeSO4 and with FeFum + NaFeEDTA (P < 0.001).Given with GOS, FIA from FeSO4 was 40% higher than from FeFum + NaFeEDTA (P < 0.001); given without GOS, it was 51% higher (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS The addition of GOS to a single iron-fortified maize porridge test meal in Kenyan infants did not significantly increase iron absorption, suggesting long-term feeding of GOS may be needed to enhance iron absorption at this age. This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02666417.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadja Mikulic
- Laboratory of Human Nutrition, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mary A Uyoga
- Laboratory of Human Nutrition, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Daniela Paganini
- Laboratory of Human Nutrition, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Edith Mwasi
- Pediatrics Department, Msambweni County Referral Hospital, Msambweni, Kenya
| | - Nicole U Stoffel
- Laboratory of Human Nutrition, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christophe Zeder
- Laboratory of Human Nutrition, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Simon Karanja
- Public and Community Health Department, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Michael B Zimmermann
- Laboratory of Human Nutrition, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich, Switzerland
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Mikulic N, Uyoga MA, Mwasi E, Stoffel NU, Zeder C, Karanja S, Zimmermann MB. Iron Absorption is Greater from Apo-Lactoferrin and is Similar Between Holo-Lactoferrin and Ferrous Sulfate: Stable Iron Isotope Studies in Kenyan Infants. J Nutr 2020; 150:3200-3207. [PMID: 32886113 DOI: 10.1093/jn/nxaa226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Whether lactoferrin (Lf) binds iron to facilitate its absorption or to sequester iron from potential enteropathogens remains uncertain. Bovine Lf is added to many infant formulas, but previous studies in infants reported that Lf had no effect on or inhibited iron absorption. The effects of the apo (iron-free) or the holo (iron-loaded) forms of Lf on iron absorption are unclear. OBJECTIVES Our objective was to compare iron absorption from a maize-based porridge containing: 1) labeled ferrous sulfate (FeSO4) alone; 2) labeled FeSO4 given with bovine apo-Lf; and 3) intrinsically labeled bovine holo-Lf. METHODS In a crossover study, we measured iron absorption in Kenyan infants (n = 25; mean ± SD age 4.2 ± 0.9 months; mean ± SD hemoglobin 109 ± 11 g/L) from maize-based test meals containing: 1) 1.5 mg of iron as 54Fe-labeled FeSO4; 2) 1.42 mg of iron as 58Fe-labeled FeSO4, given with 1.41 g apo-Lf (containing 0.08 mg iron); and 3) 1.41 g holo-Lf carrying 1.5 mg iron as 57Fe. The iron saturation levels of apo- and holo-Lf were 0.56% and 47.26%, respectively primary outcome was fractional iron absorption (FIA), assessed by erythrocyte incorporation of isotopic labels. RESULTS The FIA from the meal containing apo-Lf + FeSO4 (geometric mean, 9.8%; -SD and +SD, 5.4% and 17.5%) was higher than from the meals containing FeSO4 (geometric mean, 6.3%; -SD and +SD, 3.2% and 12.6%; P = 0.002) or holo-Lf (geometric mean, 5.0%; -SD and +SD, 2.8% and 8.9%; P <0.0001). There was no significant difference in FIA when comparing the meals containing holo-Lf versus FeSO4 alone (P = 0.24). CONCLUSIONS The amount of iron absorbed from holo-Lf was comparable to that of FeSO4, and the addition of apo-Lf to a test meal containing FeSO4 significantly increased (+56%) iron absorption. These findings suggest that Lf facilitates iron absorption in young infants. Because Lf binds iron with high affinity, it could be a safe way to provide iron to infants in low-income countries, where iron fortificants can adversely affect the gut microbiome and cause diarrhea. This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03617575.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadja Mikulic
- Laboratory of Human Nutrition, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mary A Uyoga
- Laboratory of Human Nutrition, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Edith Mwasi
- Pediatrics Department, Msambweni County Referral Hospital, Msambweni, Kenya
| | - Nicole U Stoffel
- Laboratory of Human Nutrition, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christophe Zeder
- Laboratory of Human Nutrition, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Simon Karanja
- Public and Community Health Department, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Michael B Zimmermann
- Laboratory of Human Nutrition, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich, Switzerland
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Uyoga MA, Mikulic N, Paganini D, Mwasi E, Stoffel NU, Zeder C, Karanja S, Zimmermann MB. The effect of iron dosing schedules on plasma hepcidin and iron absorption in Kenyan infants. Am J Clin Nutr 2020; 112:1132-1141. [PMID: 32678434 DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqaa174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In adults, oral iron doses increase plasma hepcidin (PHep) for 24 h, but not for 48 h, and there is a circadian increase in PHep over the day. Because high PHep decreases fractional iron absorption (FIA), alternate day iron dosing in the morning may be preferable to consecutive day dosing. Whether these effects occur in infants is uncertain. OBJECTIVE Using stable iron isotopes in Kenyan infants, we compared FIA from morning and afternoon doses and from consecutive, alternate (every second day) and every third day iron doses. METHODS In prospective studies, we measured and compared FIA and the PHep response from 1) meals fortified with a 12-mg iron micronutrient powder given in the morning or afternoon (n = 22); 2) the same given on consecutive or alternate days (n = 21); and 3) a 12-mg iron supplement given on alternate days or every third day (n = 24). RESULTS In total, 65.7% of infants were anemic. In study 1, PHep did not differ between morning and afternoon (P = 0.072), and geometric mean FIA[-SD, +SD](%) did not differ between the morning and afternoon doses [15.9 (8.9, 28.6) and 16.1 (8.7, 29.8), P = 0.877]. In study 2, PHep was increased 24 h after oral iron (P = 0.014), and mean FIA [±SD](%) from the baseline dose [23.3 (10.9)] was greater than that from the consecutive day dose (at 24 h) [20.1 (10.4); P = 0.042] but did not differ from the alternate day dose (at 48 h) [20.9 (13.4); P = 0.145]. In study 3, PHep was not increased 48 and 72 h after oral iron (P = 0.384), and the geometric mean FIA[-SD, +SD](%) from doses given at baseline, alternate days, and every third day did not differ [12.7 (7.3, 21.9), 13.8 (7.8, 24.2), and 14.8 (8.8, 24.8), respectively; P = 0.080]. CONCLUSIONS In Kenyan infants given 12 mg oral iron, morning and afternoon doses are comparably absorbed, dosing on consecutive days increases PHep and modestly decreases iron absorption compared with alternate day dosing, and dosing on alternate days or every third day does not increase PHep or decrease absorption. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02989311 and NCT03617575.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary A Uyoga
- Laboratory of Human Nutrition, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nadja Mikulic
- Laboratory of Human Nutrition, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Edith Mwasi
- Pediatric Department, Msambweni County Referral Hospital, Msambweni, Kenya
| | | | | | - Simon Karanja
- Public and Community Health Department, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
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Stoffel NU, Uyoga MA, Mutuku FM, Frost JN, Mwasi E, Paganini D, van der Klis FRM, Malhotra IJ, LaBeaud AD, Ricci C, Karanja S, Drakesmith H, King CH, Zimmermann MB. Iron Deficiency Anemia at Time of Vaccination Predicts Decreased Vaccine Response and Iron Supplementation at Time of Vaccination Increases Humoral Vaccine Response: A Birth Cohort Study and a Randomized Trial Follow-Up Study in Kenyan Infants. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1313. [PMID: 32754150 PMCID: PMC7369313 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Iron deficiency may impair adaptive immunity and is common among African infants at time of vaccination. Whether iron deficiency impairs vaccine response and whether iron supplementation improves humoral vaccine response is uncertain. Methods: We performed two studies in southern coastal Kenya. In a birth cohort study, we followed infants to age 18 mo and assessed whether anemia or iron deficiency at time of vaccination predicted vaccine response to three-valent oral polio, diphtheria-tetanus-whole cell pertussis-Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine, ten-valent pneumococcal-conjugate vaccine and measles vaccine. Primary outcomes were anti-vaccine-IgG and seroconversion at age 24 wk and 18 mo. In a randomized trial cohort follow-up, children received a micronutrient powder (MNP) with 5 mg iron daily or a MNP without iron for 4 mo starting at age 7.5 mo and received measles vaccine at 9 and 18 mo; primary outcomes were anti-measles IgG, seroconversion and avidity at age 11.5 mo and 4.5 y. Findings: In the birth cohort study, 573 infants were enrolled and 303 completed the study. Controlling for sex, birthweight, anthropometric indices and maternal antibodies, hemoglobin at time of vaccination was the strongest positive predictor of: (A) anti-diphtheria and anti-pertussis-IgG at 24 wk (p = 0.0071, p = 0.0339) and 18 mo (p = 0.0182, p = 0.0360); (B) anti-pertussis filamentous hemagglutinin-IgG at 24 wk (p = 0.0423); and (C) anti-pneumococcus 19 IgG at 18 mo (p = 0.0129). Anemia and serum transferrin receptor at time of vaccination were the strongest predictors of seroconversion against diphtheria (p = 0.0484, p = 0.0439) and pneumococcus 19 at 18 mo (p = 0.0199, p = 0.0327). In the randomized trial, 155 infants were recruited, 127 and 88 were assessed at age 11.5 mo and 4.5 y. Compared to infants that did not receive iron, those who received iron at time of vaccination had higher anti-measles-IgG (p = 0.0415), seroconversion (p = 0.0531) and IgG avidity (p = 0.0425) at 11.5 mo. Interpretation: In Kenyan infants, anemia and iron deficiency at time of vaccination predict decreased response to diphtheria, pertussis and pneumococcal vaccines. Primary response to measles vaccine may be increased by iron supplementation at time of vaccination. These findings argue that correction of iron deficiency during early infancy may improve vaccine response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole U Stoffel
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, Laboratory of Human Nutrition, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mary A Uyoga
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, Laboratory of Human Nutrition, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Francis M Mutuku
- Department of Environment and Health Sciences, Technical University Mombasa, Mombasa, Kenya
| | - Joe N Frost
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Edith Mwasi
- Pediatrics Department, Msambweni County Referral Hospital, Msambweni, Kenya
| | - Daniela Paganini
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, Laboratory of Human Nutrition, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Fiona R M van der Klis
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Indu J Malhotra
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - A Desiráe LaBeaud
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Lucille Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Cristian Ricci
- Pediatric Epidemiology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Simon Karanja
- Department of Medical Epidemiology, College of Health Sciences, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Hal Drakesmith
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Haematology Theme, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Charles H King
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Michael B Zimmermann
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, Laboratory of Human Nutrition, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
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9
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Paganini D, Uyoga MA, Kortman GAM, Boekhorst J, Schneeberger S, Karanja S, Hennet T, Zimmermann MB. Maternal Human Milk Oligosaccharide Profile Modulates the Impact of an Intervention with Iron and Galacto-Oligosaccharides in Kenyan Infants. Nutrients 2019; 11:nu11112596. [PMID: 31671757 PMCID: PMC6893608 DOI: 10.3390/nu11112596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
There is little data on human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) composition in Sub-Saharan Africa. Iron fortificants adversely affect the infant gut microbiota, while co-provision of prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) mitigates most of the adverse effects. Whether variations in maternal HMO profile can influence the infant response to iron and/or GOS fortificants is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine HMO profiles and the secretor/non-secretor phenotype of lactating Kenyan mothers and investigate their effects on the maternal and infant gut microbiota, and on the infant response to a fortification intervention with 5 mg iron (2.5 mg as sodium iron ethylenediaminetetraacetate and 2.5 mg as ferrous fumarate) and 7.5 g GOS. We studied mother–infant pairs (n = 80) participating in a 4-month intervention trial in which the infants (aged 6.5–9.5 months) received daily a micronutrient powder without iron, with iron or with iron and GOS. We assessed: (1) maternal secretor status and HMO composition; (2) effects of secretor status on the maternal and infant gut microbiota in a cross-sectional analysis at baseline of the intervention trial; and (3) interactions between secretor status and intervention groups during the intervention trial on the infant gut microbiota, gut inflammation, iron status, growth and infectious morbidity. Secretor prevalence was 72% and HMOs differed between secretors and non-secretors and over time of lactation. Secretor status did not predict the baseline composition of the maternal and infant gut microbiota. There was a secretor-status-by-intervention-group interaction on Bifidobacterium (p = 0.021), Z-scores for length-for-age (p = 0.022) and weight-for-age (p = 0.018), and soluble transferrin receptor (p = 0.041). In the no iron group, longitudinal prevalence of diarrhea was higher among infants of non-secretors (23.8%) than of secretors (10.4%) (p = 0.001). In conclusion, HMO profile may modulate the infant gut microbiota response to fortificant iron; compared to infants of secretor mothers, infants of non-secretor mothers may be more vulnerable to the adverse effect of iron but also benefit more from the co-provision of GOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Paganini
- Laboratory of Human Nutrition, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Mary A Uyoga
- Laboratory of Human Nutrition, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland.
- Department of Medical Epidemiology, College of Health Sciences, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, 00200 Nairobi, Kenya.
| | | | - Jos Boekhorst
- NIZO Food Research BV, 6718 ZB Ede, The Netherlands.
| | - Sacha Schneeberger
- Department of Physiology and Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Simon Karanja
- Department of Medical Epidemiology, College of Health Sciences, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, 00200 Nairobi, Kenya.
| | - Thierry Hennet
- Department of Physiology and Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Michael B Zimmermann
- Laboratory of Human Nutrition, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland.
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10
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Paganini D, Uyoga MA, Kortman GAM, Cercamondi CI, Winkler HC, Boekhorst J, Moretti D, Lacroix C, Karanja S, Zimmermann MB. Iron-containing micronutrient powders modify the effect of oral antibiotics on the infant gut microbiome and increase post-antibiotic diarrhoea risk: a controlled study in Kenya. Gut 2019; 68:645-653. [PMID: 30448776 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2018-317399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Revised: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 10/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Many African infants receiving iron fortificants also receive antibiotics. Antibiotic efficacy against enteropathogens may be modified by high colonic iron concentrations. In this study, we evaluated the effect of antibiotics on the infant gut microbiome and diarrhoea when given with or without iron-containing micronutrient powders (MNPs). DESIGN In a controlled intervention trial, four groups of community-dwelling infants (n=28; aged 8-10 months) received either: (A) antibiotics for 5 days and iron-MNPs for 40 days (Fe+Ab+); (B) antibiotics and no-iron-MNPs (Fe-Ab+); (C) no antibiotics and iron-MNPs (Fe+Ab-); or (D) no antibiotics and no-iron-MNPs (Fe-Ab-). We collected a faecal sample before the first antibiotic dose (D0) and after 5, 10, 20 and 40 days (D5-D40) to assess the gut microbiome composition by 16S profiling, enteropathogens by quantitative PCR, faecal calprotectin and pH and assessed morbidity over the 40-day study period. RESULTS In Fe+Ab+, there was a decrease in Bifidobacterium abundances (p<0.05), but no decrease in Fe-Ab+. In Fe-Ab+, there was a decrease in abundances of pathogenic Escherichia coli (p<0.05), but no decrease in Fe+Ab+. In Fe-Ab+, there was a decrease in pH (p<0.05), but no decrease in Fe+Ab+. Longitudinal prevalence of diarrhoea was higher in Fe+Ab+ (19.6%) compared with Fe-Ab+ (12.4%) (p=0.04) and compared with Fe+Ab- (5.2%) (p=0.00). CONCLUSION Our findings need confirmation in a larger study but suggest that, in African infants, iron fortification modifies the response to broad-spectrum antibiotics: iron may reduce their efficacy against potential enteropathogens, particularly pathogenic E. coli, and may increase risk for diarrhoea. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT02118402; Pre-results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Paganini
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mary A Uyoga
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Department of Medical Epidemiology, College of Health Sciences, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Colin I Cercamondi
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Hans C Winkler
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Diego Moretti
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christophe Lacroix
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Simon Karanja
- Department of Medical Epidemiology, College of Health Sciences, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
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11
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Paganini D, Uyoga MA, Kortman GAM, Cercamondi CI, Moretti D, Barth-Jaeggi T, Schwab C, Boekhorst J, Timmerman HM, Lacroix C, Karanja S, Zimmermann MB. Prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides mitigate the adverse effects of iron fortification on the gut microbiome: a randomised controlled study in Kenyan infants. Gut 2017; 66:1956-1967. [PMID: 28774885 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2017-314418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2017] [Revised: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Iron-containing micronutrient powders (MNPs) reduce anaemia in African infants, but the current high iron dose (12.5 mg/day) may decrease gut Bifidobacteriaceae and Lactobacillaceae, and increase enteropathogens, diarrhoea and respiratory tract infections (RTIs). We evaluated the efficacy and safety of a new MNP formula with prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) combined with a low dose (5 mg/day) of highly bioavailable iron. DESIGN In a 4-month, controlled, double-blind trial, we randomised Kenyan infants aged 6.5-9.5 months (n=155) to receive daily (1) a MNP without iron (control); (2) the identical MNP but with 5 mg iron (2.5 mg as sodium iron ethylenediaminetetraacetate and 2.5 mg as ferrous fumarate) (Fe group); or (3) the identical MNP as the Fe group but with 7.5 g GOS (FeGOS group). RESULTS Anaemia decreased by ≈50% in the Fe and FeGOS groups (p<0.001). Compared with the control or FeGOS group, in the Fe group there were (1) lower abundances of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus and higher abundances of Clostridiales (p<0.01); (2) higher abundances of virulence and toxin genes (VTGs) of pathogens (p<0.01); (3) higher plasma intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (a biomarker of enterocyte damage) (p<0.05); and (4) a higher incidence of treated RTIs (p<0.05). In contrast, there were no significant differences in these variables comparing the control and FeGOS groups, with the exception that the abundance of VTGs of all pathogens was significantly lower in the FeGOS group compared with the control and Fe groups (p<0.01). CONCLUSION A MNP containing a low dose of highly bioavailable iron reduces anaemia, and the addition of GOS mitigates most of the adverse effects of iron on the gut microbiome and morbidity in African infants. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT02118402.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Paganini
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mary A Uyoga
- Department of Medical Epidemiology, College of Health Sciences, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Colin I Cercamondi
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Diego Moretti
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tanja Barth-Jaeggi
- Health Systems Support Unit, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Clarissa Schwab
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Christophe Lacroix
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Simon Karanja
- Department of Medical Epidemiology, College of Health Sciences, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
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12
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Paganini D, Uyoga MA, Cercamondi CI, Moretti D, Mwasi E, Schwab C, Bechtler S, Mutuku FM, Galetti V, Lacroix C, Karanja S, Zimmermann MB. Consumption of galacto-oligosaccharides increases iron absorption from a micronutrient powder containing ferrous fumarate and sodium iron EDTA: a stable-isotope study in Kenyan infants. Am J Clin Nutr 2017; 106:1020-1031. [PMID: 28814396 DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.116.145060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Whether consumption of prebiotics increases iron absorption in infants is unclear.Objective: We set out to determine whether prebiotic consumption affects iron absorption from a micronutrient powder (MNP) containing a mixture of ferrous fumarate and sodium iron EDTA (FeFum+NaFeEDTA) in Kenyan infants.Design: Infants (n = 50; aged 6-14 mo) consumed maize porridge that was fortified with an MNP containing FeFum+NaFeEDTA and 7.5 g galacto-oligosaccharides (GOSs) (Fe+GOS group, n = 22) or the same MNP without GOSs (Fe group, n = 28) each day for 3 wk. Then, on 2 consecutive days, we fed all infants isotopically labeled maize porridge and MNP test meals containing 5 mg Fe as 57FeFum+Na58FeEDTA or ferrous sulfate (54FeSO4). Iron absorption was measured as the erythrocyte incorporation of stable isotopes. Iron markers, fecal pH, and bacterial groups were assessed at baseline and 3 wk. Comparisons within and between groups were done with the use of mixed-effects models.Results: There was a significant group-by-compound interaction on iron absorption (P = 0.011). The median percentages of fractional iron absorption from FeFum+NaFeEDTA and from FeSO4 in the Fe group were 11.6% (IQR: 6.9-19.9%) and 20.3% (IQR: 14.2-25.7%), respectively, (P < 0.001) and, in the Fe+GOS group, were 18.8% (IQR: 8.3-37.5%) and 25.5% (IQR: 15.1-37.8%), respectively (P = 0.124). Between groups, iron absorption was greater from the FeFum+NaFeEDTA (P = 0.047) in the Fe+GOS group but not from the FeSO4 (P = 0.653). The relative iron bioavailability from FeFum+NaFeEDTA compared with FeSO4 was higher in the Fe+GOS group than in the Fe group (88% compared with 63%; P = 0.006). There was a significant time-by-group interaction on Bifidobacterium spp. (P = 0.008) and Lactobacillus/Pediococcus/Leuconostoc spp. (P = 0.018); Lactobacillus/Pediococcus/Leuconostoc spp. decreased in the Fe group (P = 0.013), and there was a nonsignificant trend toward higher Bifidobacterium spp. in the Fe+GOS group (P = 0.099). At 3 wk, iron absorption was negatively correlated with fecal pH (P < 0.001) and positively correlated with Lactobacillus/Pediococcus/Leuconostoc spp. (P = 0.001).Conclusion: GOS consumption by infants increased iron absorption by 62% from an MNP containing FeFum+NaFeEDTA, thereby possibly reflecting greater colonic iron absorption. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02666417.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mary A Uyoga
- College of Health Sciences, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | | | - Edith Mwasi
- Department of Pediatrics, Msambweni County Referral Hospital, Msambweni, Kenya; and
| | - Clarissa Schwab
- Food Biotechnology, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | - Christophe Lacroix
- Food Biotechnology, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Simon Karanja
- College of Health Sciences, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
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Uyoga MA, Karanja S, Paganini D, Cercamondi CI, Zimmermann SA, Ngugi B, Holding P, Moretti D, Zimmermann MB. Duration of exclusive breastfeeding is a positive predictor of iron status in 6- to 10-month-old infants in rural Kenya. Matern Child Nutr 2016; 13. [PMID: 27896919 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.12386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2016] [Revised: 07/26/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) is high in infants in Sub-Saharan Africa. Exclusive breastfeeding of infants to 6 months of age is recommended by the World Health Organization, but breast milk is low in iron. Some studies suggest exclusive breastfeeding, although beneficial for the infant, may increase risk for IDA in resource-limited settings. The objective of this study was to determine if duration of exclusive breastfeeding is associated with anemia and iron deficiency in rural Kenyan infants. This was a cross-sectional study of 6-10-month-old infants (n = 134) in southern coastal Kenya. Anthropometrics, hemoglobin (Hb), plasma ferritin (PF), soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), and C-reactive protein were measured. Body iron stores were calculated from the sTfR/PF ratio. Socioeconomic factors, duration of exclusive breastfeeding, nature of complementary diet, and demographic characteristics were determined using a questionnaire. Mean ± SD age of the infants was 7.7 ± 0.8 months. Prevalence of anemia, ID, and IDA were 74.6%, 82.1%, and 64.9%, respectively. Months of exclusive breastfeeding correlated positively with Hb (r = 0.187; p < .05) and negatively with sTfR (r = -0.246; p < .05). sTfR concentrations were lower in infants exclusively breastfed at least 6 months compared with those exclusively breastfed for less than 6 months (7.6 (6.3, 9) vs. 8.9 (6.7, 13.4); p < .05). Controlling for gender, birth weight, and inflammation, months spent exclusively breastfeeding was a significant negative predictor of sTfR and a positive predictor of Hb (p < .05). The IDA prevalence in rural Kenyan infants is high, and greater duration of exclusive breastfeeding predicts better iron status and higher Hb in this age group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary A Uyoga
- School of Public Health, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya.,International Centre for Behavioural Studies, Mombasa, Kenya
| | - Simon Karanja
- School of Public Health, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Daniela Paganini
- Human Nutrition Laboratory, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Colin I Cercamondi
- Human Nutrition Laboratory, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Benjamin Ngugi
- Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Penny Holding
- International Centre for Behavioural Studies, Mombasa, Kenya
| | - Diego Moretti
- Human Nutrition Laboratory, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Michael B Zimmermann
- Human Nutrition Laboratory, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zürich, Switzerland
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14
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Paganini D, Uyoga MA, Zimmermann MB. Iron Fortification of Foods for Infants and Children in Low-Income Countries: Effects on the Gut Microbiome, Gut Inflammation, and Diarrhea. Nutrients 2016; 8:nu8080494. [PMID: 27529276 PMCID: PMC4997407 DOI: 10.3390/nu8080494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Revised: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is common among infants and children in Sub-Saharan Africa and is a leading contributor to the global burden of disease, as well as a hindrance to national development. In-home iron fortification of complementary foods using micronutrient powders (MNPs) effectively reduces the risk for IDA by ensuring that the iron needs of infants and young children are met without changing their traditional diet. However, the iron dose delivered by MNPs is high, and comparable on a mg iron per kg body weight to the supplemental doses (2 mg/kg) typically given to older children, which increases diarrhea risk. In controlled studies, iron-containing MNPs modestly increase risk for diarrhea in infants; in some cases, the diarrhea is severe and may require hospitalization. Recent in vitro and in vivo studies provide insights into the mechanism of this effect. Provision of iron fortificants to school-age children and iron-containing MNPs to weaning infants decreases the number of beneficial ‘barrier’ commensal gut bacteria (e.g., bifidobacteria), increases the enterobacteria to bifidobacteria ratio and abundances of opportunistic pathogens (e.g., pathogenic Escherichia coli), and induces gut inflammation. Thus, although iron-containing MNPs are highly effective in reducing IDA, they may increase gastrointestinal morbidity in infants, and safer formulations are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Paganini
- Laboratory of Human Nutrition, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8092, Switzerland.
| | - Mary A Uyoga
- College of Health Sciences, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi 00200, Kenya.
| | - Michael B Zimmermann
- Laboratory of Human Nutrition, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8092, Switzerland.
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