Iron absorption from infant formula and iron-fortified cow's milk: experimental model in weanling rats.

OBJECTIVE: To compare iron absorption from infant formula and iron-fortified cow's milk. METHODS: Twenty-four weanling Wistar rats were maintained in metabolic cages during the whole experiment (10 days). On the first day, the animals were divided into three similar groups according to their weight, length, hematocrit and hemoglobin levels: 1) infant formula; 2) powdered whole cow's milk fortified with iron in the same quantity and type as the formula; 3) control--powdered whole cow's milk not fortified with iron. Deionized water and diet were offered ad libitum and the volume consumed was measured. Weight, hematocrit, and hemoglobin levels were measured on the fifth and 10th days when length, fecal occult blood, and hepatic iron levels were also analyzed. RESULTS: Group 1 consumed less diet (450.5+/-26.50 mL) than group 2 (658.8+/-53.73 mL) and control group (532.7+/-19.06 mL, p < 0.001). Hemoglobin levels were higher (p < 0.001) in group 1 (12.1+/-1.13 g/dL) than in group 2 (9.6+/-1.59 g/dL) and in control group (6.2+/-0.97 g/dL). Hepatic iron level showed the same pattern as hemoglobin (p < 0.001). There was no difference in weight and length between the three groups (p = 0.342). There was no fecal occult blood in the any of the animals. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the lower volume consumed, the group that received formula presented higher iron absorption and hemoglobin levels than the group fed with fortified whole cow's milk. Growth was similar in the three groups.

Absorção do ferro da fórmula para lactentes e do leite de vaca fortificado: modelo experimental em ratos recém-desmamados / Iron absorption from infant formula and iron-fortified cow's milk: experimental model in weanling rats

OBJETIVO: Comparar a absorção do ferro da fórmula de partida e do leite de vaca integral fortificado. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados 24 ratos machos Wistar recém-desmamados, mantidos em gaiolas metabólicas durante todo o período do experimento (10 dias). No primeiro dia, os animais foram distribuídos em três grupos semelhantes quanto ao peso, comprimento, hematócrito e hemoglobina: 1) fórmula de partida para lactentes; 2) leite de vaca integral em pó fortificado com a mesma quantidade e tipo de sal de ferro da fórmula; e 3) controle - leite de vaca integral em pó não fortificado com ferro. Água e dieta foram oferecidas ad libitum com mensuração do volume consumido. Peso, hematócrito e hemoglobina foram mensurados no quinto e no 10º dia do experimento, quando foram analisados também comprimento, sangue oculto nas fezes e teor de ferro hepático. RESULTADOS: O grupo 1 ingeriu menor volume de dieta (450,5±26,50 mL) que os grupos 2 (658,8±53,73 mL) e controle (532,7±19,06 mL; p < 0,001). As concentrações de hemoglobina foram maiores (p < 0,001) no grupo 1 (12,1±1,13 g/dL) que nos grupos 2 (9,6±1,59 g/dL) e controle (6,2±0,97 g/dL). O teor de ferro hepático apresentou o mesmo comportamento da hemoglobina (p < 0,001). Não foi observada diferença de peso e comprimento nos três grupos (p = 0,342). Não foi detectado sangue oculto nas fezes de nenhum dos animais. CONCLUSÕES: Apesar do menor volume ingerido, o grupo que recebeu fórmula apresentou maior absorção de ferro e concentração de hemoglobina que o grupo que recebeu leite de vaca integral fortificado. O crescimento foi semelhante nos três grupos.

OBJECTIVE: To compare iron absorption from infant formula and iron-fortified cow's milk. METHODS: Twenty-four weanling Wistar rats were maintained in metabolic cages during the whole experiment (10 days). On the first day, the animals were divided into three similar groups according to their weight, length, hematocrit and hemoglobin levels: 1) infant formula; 2) powdered whole cow's milk fortified with iron in the same quantity and type as the formula; 3) control - powdered whole cow's milk not fortified with iron. Deionized water and diet were offered ad libitum, and the volume consumed was measured. Weight, hematocrit, and hemoglobin levels were measured on the fifth and 10th days when length, fecal occult blood, and hepatic iron levels were also analyzed. RESULTS: Group 1 consumed less diet (450.5±26.50 mL) than group 2 (658.8±53.73 mL) and control group (532.7±19.06 mL, p < 0.001). Hemoglobin levels were higher (p < 0.001) in group 1 (12.1±1.13 g/dL) than in group 2 (9.6±1.59 g/dL) and in control group (6.2±0.97 g/dL). Hepatic iron level showed the same pattern as hemoglobin (p < 0.001). There was no difference in weight and length between the three groups (p = 0.342). There was no fecal occult blood in the any of the animals. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the lower volume consumed, the group that received formula presented higher iron absorption and hemoglobin levels than the group fed with fortified whole cow's milk. Growth was similar in the three groups.

Lactobacilos e bifidobactérias nas fezes de crianças escolares de dois estratos socioeconômicos: moradores em uma favela e alunos de uma escola particular / Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria in the feces of schoolchildren of two different socioeconomic groups: children from a favela and children from a private school

OBJETIVO: Determinar o número de colônias de lactobacilos e bifidobactérias nas fezes de crianças escolares, pertencentes a dois estratos socioeconômicos. MÉTODOS: Foram analisadas amostras de fezes de crianças com idade entre 6 e 10 anos sem sintomas gastrointestinais ou uso recente de antimicrobianos. O primeiro grupo foi constituído por 86 crianças, moradoras em uma favela localizada no município de Osasco (SP). O segundo grupo foi constituído por 36 crianças matriculadas em uma escola particular da mesma cidade. O estado nutricional foi avaliado usando o índice de massa corporal (IMC) de acordo com os valores de referência do National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). O isolamento das colônias foi realizado em meios de cultura específicos em anaerobiose, durante 48 e 72 horas a 37 °C. A determinação do número foi feita pelo método da contagem em placa. RESULTADOS: A mediana de lactobacilos (1,125 x 10(9) unidades formadoras de colônia, UFC/g) e bifidobactérias (1,675 x 10(9) UFC/g) na escola particular foi superior (p < 0,001) ao do grupo da favela: 0,250 x 10(9) e 0,350 x 10(9) UFC/g, respectivamente. No grupo da favela, crianças com escore z de IMC < -1,0 desvio padrão (n = 28) apresentaram menor mediana (p < 0,05) de lactobacilos (0,100 x 10(9) UFC/g) e bifidobactérias (0,095 x 10(9) UFC/g) em relação às crianças com IMC > -1,0 desvio padrão (n = 57): 0,350 x 10(9) e 0,420 x 10(9) UFC/g, respectivamente. CONCLUSÃO: A microbiota de crianças escolares que moram em condições ambientais desfavoráveis apresenta menor número de colônias de lactobacilos e bifidobactérias nas fezes, especialmente naquelas com menores valores do IMC.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the number of lactobacillus and bifidobacterium colonies in the feces of schoolchildren from two different socioeconomic levels. METHODS: We analyzed fecal samples of children aged 6 to 10 years without gastrointestinal symptoms or recent use of antimicrobials. The first group included 86 children living in a favela in the city of Osasco, state of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil. The second group included 36 children attending a private school in the same city. Body mass index (BMI) was used to assess nutritional status according to the reference values of the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). Specific anaerobic culture media were used for isolation of colonies for 48 and 72 hours at 37 °C. The number of colonies was determined using the plate-counting method. RESULTS: The mean lactobacillus (1.125 x 10(9) colony-forming units, CFU/g) and bifidobacterium (1.675 x 10(9) CFU/g) counts in the private school group were higher (p < 0.001) than those in the favela group: 0.250 x 10(9) and 0.350 x 10(9) CFU/g, respectively. In the favela group, children with BMI z score < -1.0 standard deviation (SD) (n = 28) showed lower mean (p < 0.05) lactobacillus (0.100 x 10(9) CFU/g) and bifidobacterium (0.095 x 10(9) CFU/g) counts than the children with BMI > -1.0 SD (n = 57): 0.350 x 10(9) and 0.420 x 10(9) CFU/g, respectively. CONCLUSION: The microbiota of schoolchildren living in unfavorable environmental conditions shows lower numbers of fecal lactobacillus and bifidobacterium colonies, especially in children with lower BMI values.

Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria in the feces of schoolchildren of two different socioeconomic groups: children from a favela and children from a private school.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the number of lactobacillus and bifidobacterium colonies in the feces of schoolchildren from two different socioeconomic levels. METHODS: We analyzed fecal samples of children aged 6 to 10 years without gastrointestinal symptoms or recent use of antimicrobials. The first group included 86 children living in a favela in the city of Osasco, state of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil. The second group included 36 children attending a private school in the same city. Body mass index (BMI) was used to assess nutritional status according to the reference values of the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). Specific anaerobic culture media were used for isolation of colonies for 48 and 72 hours at 37 degrees C. The number of colonies was determined using the plate-counting method. RESULTS: The mean lactobacillus (1.125 x 10(9) colony-forming units, CFU/g) and bifidobacterium (1.675 x 10(9) CFU/g) counts in the private school group were higher (p < 0.001) than those in the favela group: 0.250 x 10(9) and 0.350 x 10(9) CFU/g, respectively. In the favela group, children with BMI z score < -1.0 standard deviation (SD) (n = 28) showed lower mean (p < 0.05) lactobacillus (0.100 x 10(9) CFU/g) and bifidobacterium (0.095 x 10(9) CFU/g) counts than the children with BMI >or= -1.0 SD (n = 57): 0.350 x 10(9) and 0.420 x 10(9) CFU/g, respectively. CONCLUSION: The microbiota of schoolchildren living in unfavorable environmental conditions shows lower numbers of fecal lactobacillus and bifidobacterium colonies, especially in children with lower BMI values.