The program involves complex variations in dietary fat type, dose and precursor ratio and is funded by two industry partners. We have recently published on some of the many immunologically active components such as cytokines that may influence the development of the immune system of the breast fed infant. Dietary PUFA have been shown to influence the level of related immunoregulators in a variety of other systems. We have two basic preclinical studies designed to investigate the role of dietary fats in regulation of the immune response to infection. Selenium is an essential trace element found in low levels in the foods of Australasia including infant formulas.
Nucleotides are a major constituent of the non-protein fraction of breast milk.
They have been shown to have biological activity in various animal and cellular studies prompting several groups to examine the effects of these compounds on formula fed infants. A clinical trial on the effect of dietary nucleotides in the formula of term infants will also begin soon. The outcomes are markers of immune function including T cell subsets, response to immunisation antigens and NK cell cytotoxicity. Our overall plan over the next 12 months is to increase the collaborative links with investigators who have a primary interest in maternal-infant nutrition.