- 2008
- Annals of nutrition & metabolism 53(3-4)
- Elisabeth Haschke-Becher
- Oscar Brunser
- Sylvia Cruchet
- Martin Gotteland
- Ferdinand Haschke
- Claude Bachmann
Study Design
- Type
- Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
- Sample size
- n = 71
- Population
- 71 infants aged 4-5 months
- Methods
- Double-blind, randomized controlled trial, 4 weeks of feeding formulas with or without La1 (1 x 10^8/g powder) or being breastfed
- Blinding
- Double-blind
- Duration
- 4 weeks
- Funding
- Unclear
Background/aims
Supplementation with certain probiotics can improve gut microbial flora and immune function but should not have adverse effects. This study aimed to assess the risk of D-lactate accumulation and subsequent metabolic acidosis in infants fed on formula containing Lactobacillus johnsonii (La1).Methods
In the framework of a double-blind, randomized controlled trial enrolling 71 infants aged 4-5 months, morning urine samples were collected before and 4 weeks after being fed formulas with or without La1 (1 x 10(8)/g powder) or being breastfed. Urinary D- and L-lactate concentrations were assayed by enzymatic, fluorimetric methods and excretion was normalized per mol creatinine.Results
At baseline, no significant differences in urinary D-/L-lactate excretion among the formula-fed and breastfed groups were found. After 4 weeks, D-lactate excretion did not differ between the two formula groups, but was higher in both formula groups than in breastfed infants. In all infants receiving La1, urinary D-lactate concentrations remained within the concentration ranges of age-matched healthy infants which had been determined in an earlier study using the same analytical method. Urinary L-lactate also did not vary over time or among groups.Conclusions
Supplementation of La1 to formula did not affect urinary lactate excretion and there is no evidence of an increased risk of lactic acidosis.