Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Fortification of α-Lactalbumin and β-Casein in Infant Formula Alleviate Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis in a Young Rat Model: Assessment of Gut Barrier, Inflammatory Response, and Metabolites.
- Journal:
- Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
- Year:
- 2026
- Authors:
- Zhao, Ju et al.
- Affiliation:
- School of Food Science and Technology · China
- Species:
- rodent
Abstract
This study evaluated α-lactalbumin (α-La)- and β-casein (β-CN)-fortified infant formula (whey:casein 60:40) on intestinal inflammation and metabolism in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in young rats. Fortification with α-La and β-CN significantly improved colonic morphology, reduced serum markers of barrier dysfunction, and upregulated epithelial junction proteins, especially occludin (< 0.05). Fortification with α-La and β-CN significantly modulated both proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels in colitis-induced rats. In parallel, α-La and β-CN fortification induced genus-level shifts in gut microbiota composition, characterized by an increased abundance of beneficial genera (e.g.,) and a decrease in potentially proinflammatory taxa (e.g.,). Moreover, α-La and β-CN fortification modulated the levels of several arachidonic acid and glycerophospholipid metabolites. Correlation analysis showed that prostaglandin D(PGD) and 15-deoxy-Δ-prostaglandin J(15d-PGJ) were positively associated withand, whereas 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) was positively correlated withand
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42013210/