Method for treating or preventing systemic inflammation in formula-fed infants
The present invention is directed to a novel method for treating or preventing systemic inflammation in a formula-fed infant. The method administering to the infant a therapeutically effective amount of LGG in combination with at least one LCPUFA.
1 . A method for treating, preventing or reducing systemic inflammation in a formula-fed infant, the method comprising administering to the infant a therapeutically effective amount of LGG in combination with at least one LCPUFA.
2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the LCPUFA comprises DHA or ARA.
3 . The method according to claim 2 , wherein the LCPUFA comprises DHA in an amount of between about 3 mg per kg of body weight per day to about 150 mg per kg of body weight per day.
4 . The method according to claim 2 , wherein the LCPUFA comprises ARA in an amount of between about 5 mg per kg of body weight per day to about 150 mg per kg of body weight per day.
5 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the LCPUFA comprises DHA and ARA.
6 . The method according to claim 5 , wherein the ratio of ARA:DHA is from about 1:3 to about 9:1.
7 . The method according to claim 5 , wherein the ratio of ARA:DHA is from about 1:2 to about 4:1.
8 . The method according to claim 5 , wherein the ratio of ARA:DHA is from about 2:3 to about 2:1.
9 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the systemic inflammation is treated or prevented in the gastrointestinal tract, liver, plasma, lungs, and brain of the infant.
10 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the LGG and the LCPUFA are incorporated into an infant formula and consumed by the infant.
11 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of LGG is between about 1×10 4 and 1×10 10 cfu/L/kg/day.
12 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of LGG is between about 1×10 6 and 1×10 9 cfu/L/kg/day.
13 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of LGG is about 1×10 8 cfu/L/kg/day.
14 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method additionally comprises administering to the infant at least one other probiotic.
15 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method additionally comprises administering to the infant at least one prebiotic.
16 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the infant is a preterm infant.
17 . A method for reducing or preventing systemic inflammation in a formula-fed infant to a level similar to that of a breast-fed infant, the method comprising administering to the infant a therapeutically effective amount of LGG in combination with at least one LCPUFA.
18 . A method for reducing or preventing inflammation in one or more organs of a formula-fed infant selected from the group consisting of gastrointestinal tract, liver, plasma, lungs, and brain, the method comprising administering to the infant a therapeutically effective amount of LGG in combination with at least one LCPUFA.
19 . A method for reducing or preventing physical damage in the intestinal mucosa of a formula-fed infant, the method comprising administering to the infant a therapeutically effective amount of LGG in combination with at least one LCPUFA.
20 . The method according to claim 19 , wherein the physical damage comprises a clearing of the cytoplasm, expansion of the lamina propria by a lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate, thinning of the muscularis mucosa, increased number and branching of crypts, and/or increased mitotic activity.
21 . A method for reducing or preventing the systemic release of one or more pro-inflammatory cytokines or chemokines in a formula-fed infant, the method comprising administering to the infant a therapeutically effective amount of LGG in combination with at least one LCPUFA.
22 . The method according to claim 21 , wherein the pro-inflammatory cytokine or chemokine comprises one or more selected from the group TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18 and GRO/KC.
23 . The method according to claim 22 , wherein the systemic release of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 or IL-18 is reduced or prevented in the lung, liver, or plasma of the infant.
24 . The method according to claim 23 , wherein the systemic release of GRO/KC is reduced or prevented in the intestine, liver, plasma, or lung of the infant.
25 . A method for reducing or preventing the systemic release of MPO in a formula-fed infant, the method comprising administering to the infant a therapeutically effective amount of LGG in combination with at least one LCPUFA.
26 . The method according to claim 25 , wherein the systemic release of MPO is reduced or prevented in the intestine or lung of the infant.