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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Little Rock, Arkansas » Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #341682
Title: Effects of early cholesterol intake on cholesterol 7 alpha hydroxylase (Cyp7a1) expression in piglets receiving sow's breast milk or infant formula until weaning

Author
item MERCER, K - Arkansas Children'S Nutrition Research Center (ACNC)
item SARAF, M - Arkansas Children'S Nutrition Research Center (ACNC)
item PICCOLO, B - Arkansas Children'S Nutrition Research Center (ACNC)
item SHARMA, N - Arkansas Children'S Nutrition Research Center (ACNC)
item YERUVA, L - Arkansas Children'S Nutrition Research Center (ACNC)

Submitted to: Keystone Symposia
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/3/2017
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Unlike breast milk, infant formulas are not rich in cholesterol. To compensate for the dietary loss, hepatic cholesterol synthesis is increased in formula-fed infants. Observational studies have reported significant increases in serum cholesterol and triglycerides in adults that received formula during infancy, suggesting long-term programming effects associated with cholesterol exposure in early infant diets. We used a piglet feeding model to investigate the underlying mechanisms which may contribute to programming of cholesterol homeostasis. Piglets received sow's milk, dairy milk-based infant formula or soy-based infant formula (n=12/diet group) from postnatal days 2 to 21. We observed a 15 to 30% decrease in total hepatic cholesterol content in the milk and soy formula fed groups, respectively (p<0.05), which corresponded to increased cholesterol 7 alpha hydroxylase (Cyp7a1) protein expression (p<0.01) and increased fecal elimination of bile acids, compared to the piglets fed sow's milk. As expected, expression of genes associated with hepatic cholesterol synthesis were increased in both formula groups compared to sow fed control. Hepatic uptake of secondary bile acids was also increased in the formula groups (p<0.05), suggestive of altered microbiome function. Compared to sow's milk, serum fibroblast growth factor 19 (Fgf19) concentrations were reduced by 40% in the milk formula group (p=0.08) and soy group (p=0.01). Small heterodimer protein expression (Shp) was also significantly reduced in formula groups. These results support the hypothesis that higher cholesterol in breast milk ensures dietary intestinal and hepatic feedback mechanisms on bile acid metabolism are intact and robust when compared to formula feeding.