Human Breast Milk-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in the Protection Against Experimental Necrotizing Enterocolitis
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Read the article on jpedsurg.org ↗Article · Nov 2019 · 1 min read
In brief
In brief
Study demonstrates that extracellular vesicles isolated from human breast milk significantly reduce necrotizing enterocolitis incidence in premature rat models, with enteral administration showing superior protection (88% reduction) compared to intraperitoneal delivery. Findings suggest a novel therapeutic approach for NEC prevention in NICU populations.
Written by the GCMD Library team from the article.
Purpose
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a leading cause of death in premature infants. Breast feeding decreases the incidence of NEC but, even with aggressive promotion of nursing in Neonatal Intensive Care Units, morbidity and mortality remain high. Previous studies from our laboratory have demonstrated that extracellular vesicles (EVs) purified from mouse and rat stem cells can protect the intestines from NEC. The aim of this study was to determine whether human breast milk (BM)-derived EVs could prevent NEC.
Methods
EVs were purified from human donor breast milk. NEC was induced in premature rat pups by exposure to asphyxia/hypothermia/hypercaloric feeds. Pups were randomized to: (1) breast fed, no injury, (2) NEC, (3) NEC + BM-derived EVs once intraperitoneally (IP), (4) NEC + BM-derived EVs enterally (PO) with each feed. Intestinal tracts were examined for histologic damage. Additionally, the effect of BM-derived EVs on intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation injury in vitro was examined.
Results
NEC incidence was 0% in breast-fed pups and 62% in pups subjected to NEC. IP administration of BM-derived EVs decreased NEC incidence to 29% and enteral administration further decreased NEC incidence to 11.9%. (p