Plasma and erythrocyte α-tocopherol and plasma retinol concentrations in term infants fed formula enriched with long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids

Abstract

Objective: To assess the effect of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA)- and vitamin E-supplemented formula feeding on erythrocyte and plasma α-tocopherol (VE), and plasma retinol (VA) concentrations in neonates and to compare these values with those found in infants feeding on infant formula without LCPUFA or breast milk

Setting: University Hospital of Granada, Spain.

Subjects: 49 full-term infants.

Design and intervention: Subjects who chose not to breast feed were fed either (i) unsupplemented infant formula (F) or (ii) infant formula supplemented with LCPUFA and vitamin E (FL). α-Tocopherol and retinol were measured at 7 days, 1 month and 3 months.

Results: Plasma and erythrocyte VE concentrations and plasma VE/total lipids ratio increased significantly in all groups at 1 month of life (P<0.05), but did not change significantly between 1 month and 3 months in any group (P>0.05). Erythrocyte VE and VA retinol concentrations were higher in infants fed an infant formula than in breast milk-fed infants at 1 month of life (P<0.05). Finally, there were no significant differences in plasma or erythrocyte VE levels, plasma VA or plasma VE/total lipid ratio between any groups at 3 months of life (P>0.05).

Conclusion: Infants fed on LCPUFA- and vitamin E-supplemented infant formula for 3 months have similar vitamin E and A status to infants fed on breast milk or infant formula without LCPUFA supplementation.

Sponsorship: This study was supported by a research grant from the Spanish Technological and Industrial Development Center (CDTI) of Ministry of Education and Science in collaboration with Laboratorios Ordesa, Spain.