The administration of a pre-digested fat enriched formula prevents NEC-induced lung injury in mice

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating gastrointestinal disease of prematurity that typically develops after the administration of infant formula, suggesting a link between nutritional components and disease development. One of the most significant complications that develops in patients with NEC is severe lung injury. We have previously shown that the administration of a nutritional formula that is enriched in pre-digested triglycrides that do not require lipase action can significantly reduce the severity of NEC in a mouse model. We now hypothesize that this ‘pre-digested fat system (PDF)’ may reduce NEC-associated lung injury. In support of this hypothesis, we now show that rearing newborn mice on a nutritional formula based on the ‘pre-digested fat (PDF) system’ promotes lung development, as evidenced by increased tight junctions and surfactant protein expression. Mice who were administered this ‘PDF fat system’ were significantly less vulnerable to the development of NEC-induced lung inflammation, and the administration of the ‘PDF fat system’ conferred lung protection. In seeking to define the mechanisms involved, the administration of the PDF system’ significantly enhanced lung maturation and reduced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These findings suggest that the PDF system protects the development of NEC-induced lung injury through effects on lung maturation and reduced reactive oxygen species in the lung, and also increase lung maturation in non-NEC mice.