Patent Description:
Increasing attention is raised towards the role of nutrition early in life on the development of the brain and possibilities to modulate brain functioning. A complex, bidirectional communication system exists between the gut and the brain, which ensures gastrointestinal homeostasis and digestion maintenance, and which in reverse direction may affect cognitive function. Especially in infants an imbalance is unwanted since during infancy the cognitive system is still developing, and the disturbance of this development may have long lasting effects.

Breast-feeding is the preferred method of feeding infants. However, there are circumstances that make breast-feeding impossible or less desirable. In those cases infant formulae are a good alternative. The composition of modern infant formulae is adapted in such a way that it meets many of the special nutritional requirements of the fast growing and developing infant. Still further improvements can be made. The present invention relates to nutritional compositions for infants, in particular infant formulae, which comprises specific ingredients for modulating brain structure and functioning.

In a review, <NPL>) discuss a role of glutamine and of probiotics and of prebiotic fibers in nutrition on brain development and its neuroprotective implications following preterm birth.

<CIT> discloses that dietary supplementation with Bifidobacterium breve in combination with non-digestible oligosaccharides, preferably further in combination with glutamine, resulted in improved cognitive and behavioral performance and in particular that anxiety levels were lowered and spatial memory was improved.

<CIT> discloses compositions enriched in glutamine to improve structural brain development in preterm and/or very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. The compositions also include prebiotics.

<CIT> discloses that supplementation of preterm formula with glutamine and prebiotic improves brain microstructure development. Furthermore, the compositions improve neurocognitive functioning, behavioral and/or motional development.

The present inventors now surprisingly found in an animal model study that supplementation of the diet with a prebiotic and a probiotic and glutamine, in brain tissue, microstructural maturation was enhanced evidenced by beneficial influences on orientation dispersion index in brain cortical gray matter, white matter fiber bundles radial diffusivity and fractional anisotropy values.

In addition it was surprisingly found that the test animals receiving a diet supplemented with a prebiotic and a probiotic and glutamine, were quicker in learning the objective set out in a T-maze compared to the control group.

In view of these findings, the use of a prebiotic and a probiotic and glutamine is particularly suitable to enhance maturation of brain microstructure in mammalian offspring, in particular in an infant.

Moreover, in view of the present findings, the use of a prebiotic and a probiotic and glutamine is particularly suitable to accelerate maturation of cognition, accelerate learning ability and/or accelerate reaching memory objectives in mammalian offspring, in particular in an infant.

The invention concerns a nutritional composition comprising a prebiotic fiber and a probiotic bacterium and glutamine, for use in accelerating learning ability and/or accelerating reaching memory objectives in an infant, wherein the infant is a preterm infant and/or an infant that is born small for gestational age (SGA), and wherein the acceleration is in comparison to preterm infants and/or infants that are born small for gestational age (SGA) not being adminstered the nutritional composition comprising prebiotic fiber and probiotic bacterium and glutamine.

In the composition for use according to the present invention, the nutritional composition comprises a prebiotic fiber. The term prebiotic fiber is known in the art and refers to dietary fibers or non-digestible saccharides which are nutritional components that are typically resistant to digestion and absorption in the small intestine, hence which are not or only partially digested by the action of acids or digestive enzymes such as present in for instance small intestine and stomach, with preferably a complete or partial fermentation in the large intestine, in particular by intestinal flora. For example, sucrose, lactose, maltose and maltodextrins are considered digestible. For example, galacto-oligosaccharides, fructo-oligosaccharides and fructo-polysaccharides are considered non-digestible saccharide. Thus preferably according to the present invention, the term 'prebiotic fiber' refers to non-digestible saccharide.

The term "saccharide" as used in the present context preferably refers to a saccharide with a degree of polymerization (DP) of <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably a DP of <NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably of <NUM> to <NUM>. It is understood that in the context of this invention a saccharide with a DP in a certain range may include a mixture of saccharides with different average DP's, for example, if a saccharide with a DP of <NUM> to <NUM> is included in the present composition, this may include compositions which contain oligosaccharides with an average DP between <NUM> and <NUM>, and polysaccharides with an average DP between <NUM> and <NUM>. In the context of the present invention, the term 'oligosaccharide' refers to a prebiotic fiber with an average DP below <NUM> and the term 'polysaccharide' refers to a prebiotic fiber with an average DP of <NUM> and higher.

The nutritional composition for the use indicated in claim <NUM> preferably comprises a prebiotic, or non-digestible saccharide, selected from the group consisting fructo-oligosaccharide, galacto-oligosaccharide, fructo-polysaccharide, gluco-oligosaccharide, arabino-oligosaccharide, mannan-oligosaccharide, xylo-oligosaccharide, fuco-oligosaccharide, arabinogalacto-oligosaccharide, glucomanno-oligosaccharide, galactomanno-oligosaccharide, arabino-polysaccharide, mannan-polysaccharide, xylo-polysaccharide, fuco-polysaccharide, arabinogalacto-polysaccharide, glucomanno-polysaccharide, galactomanno-polysaccharide, sialic acid comprising oligosaccharide, sialic acid comprising polysaccharide, uronic acid oligosaccharide and uronic acid ploysaccharide.

The nutritional composition for the use indicated in claim <NUM> preferably comprises a prebiotic fiber selected from the group consisting of a fructo-oligosaccharide, a galacto-oligosaccharide, a fructo-polysaccharide, a combination of a fructo-oligosaccharide and a galacto-oligosaccharide tide, a combination of a fructo-oligosaccharide and a fructo-polysaccharide, a combination of a galacto-oligosaccharide and a fructo-polysaccharide and a combination of a fructo-oligosaccharide, a galacto-oligosaccharide and a fructo-polysaccharide.

Preferably the nutritional composition for the use indicated in claim <NUM> comprises galacto-oligosaccharide, more preferably transgalacto-oligosaccharide. Preferably the nutritional composition comprises galacto-oligosaccharide with an average DP between <NUM> and <NUM>.

In one embodiment preferably the nutritional composition for the use indicated in claim <NUM> comprises fructo-polysaccharide. Preferably the nutritional composition comprises fructo-polysaccharide with an average DP between <NUM> and <NUM>, preferably with an average DP between <NUM> and <NUM>.

In a preferred embodiment the nutritional composition comprises a mixture of galacto-oligosaccharide and fructo-polysaccharide. Preferably the nutritional composition comprises galacto-oligosaccharide with an average DP between <NUM> and <NUM> and fructo-polysaccharide with an average DP between <NUM> and <NUM>, preferably with an average DP between <NUM> and <NUM>. Preferably the nutritional composition comprises galacto-oligosaccharides and fructo-polysaccharides in a weight ratio of <NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>, most preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>.

In one embodiment preferably the nutritional composition for the use indicated in claim <NUM> comprises fructo-oligosaccharide. Preferably the nutritional composition comprises fructo-oligosaccharide with an average DP between <NUM> and <NUM>. In a preferred embodiment the nutritional composition comprises a mixture of fructo-oligosaccharide and fructo-polysaccharide. Preferably the nutritional composition comprises fructo-oligosaccharide with an average DP between <NUM> and <NUM> and fructo-polysaccharide with an average DP between <NUM> and <NUM>, preferably with an average DP between <NUM> and <NUM>. Preferably the nutritional composition comprises fructo-oligosaccharides and fructo-polysaccharides in a weight ratio of <NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>.

In one embodiment preferably the nutritional composition for the use indicated in claim <NUM> comprises a mixture of galacto-oligosaccharide and fructo-oligosaccharide Preferably the nutritional composition comprises galacto-oligosaccharide with an average DP between <NUM> and <NUM> and fructo-oligosaccharide with an average DP between <NUM> and <NUM>. Preferably the nutritional composition comprises galacto-oligosaccharides and fructo-oligosaccharides in a weight ratio of <NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>.

In one embodiment preferably the nutritional composition for the use indicated in claim <NUM> comprises a mixture of galacto-oligosaccharide and fructo-oligosaccharide and fructo-polysaccharide. Preferably the nutritional composition comprises galacto-oligosaccharide with an average DP between <NUM> and <NUM> and fructo-oligosaccharide with an average DP between <NUM> and <NUM> and fructo-polysaccharide with an average DP between <NUM> and <NUM>, preferably with an average DP between <NUM> and <NUM>. Preferably the nutritional composition comprises galacto-oligosaccharides and fructo-oligosaccharides and fructo-polysaccharides in a weight ratio of to <NUM> to <NUM> : <NUM> to <NUM> : <NUM> to <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the nutritional composition for the use indicated in claim <NUM> comprises <NUM> to <NUM> wt. % prebiotic fiber per g dry weigth of the nutritional composition, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM> wt. %, even more preferably <NUM> to <NUM> wt. In one embodiment, the nutritional composition for the use indicated in claim <NUM> comprises <NUM> to <NUM> prebiotic fiber per <NUM>, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>, even more preferably <NUM> to <NUM> per <NUM>.

The nutritional composition for the use indicated in claim <NUM> comprises a probiotic. The term probiotic is known in the art and refers to micro-organisms, preferably bacteria, which have a beneficial effect on a host when ingested by or administered to that host. In the nutritional composition for the use indicated in claim <NUM> the probiotic is preferably a lactic acid producing bacteria.

The nutritional composition for the use indicated in claim <NUM> preferably comprises a probiotic of the genus Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium or of both. In a preferred embodiment, the Lactobacillus is one or more selected from L. rhamnosus, L. paracasei, L. helveticus, L. delbrueckii, L. reuteri, L. crispatus, L. jensenii, L. sanfransiscensis, L. fructivorans, L. curvatus, L. paraplantarum, L. kefirgranum, L. parakefir, L. fermentum, L. plantarum, L. acidophilus, L. johnsonii, L. gasseri, L. xylosus, L. salivarius etc..

Preferred species are L. rhamnosus, L. paracasei, L. reuteri, L. crispatus,. L fermentum L. plantarum L. acidophilus, L. johnsonii L. gasseri and L. salivarius, more preferably one or more selected from L. plantarum, L. casei and L. , more preferably the prociotic comprises a strain belonging to the species L. In a preferred embodiment, the Bifidobacterium is one or more selected from B. animalis, B. infantis, B. bifidum, B. adolescentis, B. pseudolongum, B. catenulatum, B. pseudocatenulatum, B. angulatum more preferably B.

The nutritional composition for the use indicated in claim <NUM> preferably comprises a Bifidobacterium. Preferably the nutritional composition comprises a Bifidobacterium breve. Bifidobacterium breve is a Gram-positive, anaerobic, branched rod-shaped bacterium. breve preferably has at least <NUM> % identity of the <NUM> rRNA sequence when compared to the type strain of B. breve ATCC <NUM>, more preferably at least <NUM>% identity (<NPL>). Preferred B. breve strains are those isolated from the faeces of healthy human milk-fed infants. Typically, these are commercially available from producers of lactic acid bacteria, but they can also be directly isolated from faeces, identified, characterized and produced. According to a preferred embodiment, the present composition for the use indicated in claim <NUM> contains at least one B. breve selected from the group consisting of B. breve Bb-<NUM> (Rhodia/Danisco), B. breve M-16V (Morinaga), B. breve R0070 (Institute Rosell, Lallemand), B. breve BR03 (Probiotical), B. breve BR92) (Cell Biotech), DSM <NUM>, LMG <NUM>, YIT4065, FERM BP-<NUM> and CNCM I-<NUM>. Most preferably, the B. breve is selected from the group consisting of B. breve M-16V and B. breve CNCM I-<NUM>, most preferably M-16V. breve I-<NUM> was published in <CIT> and was deposited at the Collection Nationale de Cultures de Microorganisms, Institute Pasteur, Paris, France on <NUM> May <NUM> by Compagnie Gervais Danone. breve M-16V was deposited as BCCM/LMG23729 and is commercially available from Morinaga Milk Industry Co.

The nutritional composition for the use indicated in claim <NUM> preferably comprises <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM> colony forming units (cfu) of a probiotic, preferably B. breve, per gram dry weight of the nutritional composition, preferably <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM>, more preferably <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM>, most preferably from <NUM><NUM> to 1x10<NUM> cfu of a probiotic, preferably B. breve, per gram dry weight of the nutritional composition. The amount of the probiotic, preferably B. breve, in the nutritional composition for the use indicated in claim <NUM> is preferably administered at a daily dose of <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM>, more preferably from <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM>, most preferably from <NUM><NUM> to 5x10<NUM> colony forming units (cfu).

Preferably the nutritional composition comprises <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM> cfu of a probiotic, preferably B. breve, per <NUM>, more preferably <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM> cfu per <NUM>, most preferably <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM> cfu per <NUM>.

The nutritional composition for the use indicated in claim <NUM> preferably comprises viable probiotic, preferably B. Alternatively, the nutritional composition for the use indicated in claim <NUM> preferably comprises non-viable probiotic, preferably B. breve equivalent to the amounts of cfu as described above. The equivalent of cfu can be determined by performing the <NUM>'nuclease assay with appropriate probes and primers, preferably the B. breve probes and primers as disclosed in <CIT> in the nutritional composition comprising non-viable B. breve and compare this with a calibration curve obtained from a comparable nutritional composition to which known amounts in cfu of viable probiotic, preferably B. breve have been added. Viable bifidobacteria can be commercially obtained as described above. Probiotic cells, preferably B. breve cells can be made non-viable by methods known in the art, including heat treatment steps (including sterilization, pasteurization, UHT treatment), radiation (UV), treatment with oxygen, treatment with bactericidals such as ethanol, sonication, ultra-high pressure application, high pressure homogenization and use of a cell disruptor. Preferably the probiotic, preferably B. breve is heat-killed. The presence of non-viable probiotic, preferably B. breve, advantageously provides many product technological benefits, including increased shelf-life, a reduced incidence of bacterial contamination, decreased post-acidification of the product, improved dosage control and improved convenience of reconstitution.

Glutamine in the present invention refers to L-glutamine. Glutamine is one of the most abundant amino acids in plasma and human milk and is considered conditionally essential in preterm infants. Glutamine is utilized as a source of energy and for nucleotide synthesis in all rapidly dividing cells, such as the intestinal lining and certain immune cells. In the brain, glutamine is a substrate for neurotransmitters and an important source of energy for the nervous system.

Glutamine is preferably present in an easily absorbable form. In particular in infants with an immature intestinal tract, glutamine present in intact protein is less easily absorbed. Therefore the nutritional composition for the use indicated in claim <NUM> according to the present invention preferably comprises glutamine in the form of free amino acid, glutamine containing dipeptide and/or glutamine containing tripeptide, most preferably glutamine containing dipeptide and/or free glutamine. Free glutamine and glutamine containing dipeptide and glutamine containing tripeptide are commercially available, for example at Ajinomoto, USA.

The nutritional composition for the use indicated in claim <NUM> of the present invention preferably comprises glutamine levels higher than normally present in human milk protein or standard infant formula based on cow's milk derived protein. Preferably the nutritional composition for the use indicated in claim <NUM> of the present invention comprises at least <NUM> wt. %, more preferably at least <NUM> wt. %, even more preferably at least <NUM> wt. % glutamine based on total protein. Preferably the nutritional composition comprises less than <NUM> wt. %, more preferably less than <NUM> wt. % glutamine based on total protein. Preferably the nutritional composition comprises at least <NUM> wt. %, more preferably at least <NUM> wt. %, even more preferably at least <NUM> wt. % glutamine based on dry weight of the nutritional composition. Preferably the nutritional composition comprises less than <NUM> wt. %, more preferably less than <NUM> wt. % glutamine based on dry weight of the nutritional composition. Preferably the nutritional composition for the use indicated in claim <NUM> of the present invention comprises at least <NUM>, more preferably at least <NUM>, even more preferably at least <NUM> glutamine based on <NUM> kcal of the nutritional composition. Preferably the nutritional composition comprises less than <NUM>, even more preferably less than <NUM> glutamine based on <NUM> kcal of the nutritional composition. Preferably the nutritional composition comprises at least <NUM>, more preferably at least <NUM>, even more preferably at least <NUM> glutamine per <NUM>. Preferably the nutritional composition comprises less than <NUM>, even more preferably less than <NUM> glutamine per <NUM>.

Preferably the nutritional composition comprises at least <NUM> wt. %, more preferably at least <NUM> wt. %, even more preferably at least <NUM> wt. % glutamine in the form of free amino acid and glutamine containing dipeptide and glutamine containing tripeptide based on total protein. Preferably the nutritional composition comprises less than <NUM> wt. %, more preferably less than <NUM> wt. % glutamine in the form of free amino acid and glutamine containing dipeptide and glutamine containing tripeptide based on total protein. Preferably the nutritional composition comprises at least <NUM> wt. %, more preferably at least <NUM> wt. %, even more preferably at least <NUM> wt. % glutamine in the form of free amino acid and glutamine containing dipeptide and glutamine containing tripeptide, based on dry weight of the nutritional composition. Preferably the nutritional composition comprises less than <NUM> wt. %, more preferably less than <NUM> wt. % glutamine in the form of free amino acid and glutamine containing dipeptide and glutamine containing tripeptide, based on dry weight of the nutritional composition. Preferably the nutritional composition comprises at least <NUM>, more preferably at least <NUM>, even more preferably at least <NUM> glutamine in the form of free amino acid and glutamine containing dipeptide and glutamine containing tripeptide, based on <NUM> kcal. Preferably the nutritional composition comprises less than <NUM>, even more preferably less than <NUM> glutamine in the form of free amino acid and glutamine containing dipeptide and glutamine containing tripeptide, based on <NUM> kcal. Preferably the nutritional composition comprises at least <NUM>, more preferably at least <NUM>, even more preferably at least <NUM> glutamine in the form of free amino acid and glutamine containing dipeptide and glutamine containing tripeptide per <NUM>. Preferably the nutritional composition comprises less than <NUM>, even more preferably less than <NUM> glutamine in the form of free amino acid and glutamine containing dipeptide and glutamine containing tripeptide per <NUM>.

In one embodiment the nutritional composition for the use indicated in claim <NUM> according to the invention is a nutritional supplement. In the present context, the nutritional supplement is also referred to as a glutamine-based supplement. Preferably the nutritional supplement, or the glutamine-based supplement is in the form of a powder, preferably in a unit dose. In a preferred embodiment the glutamine-based supplement in a unit dose, preferably in the form of a powder, comprises at least <NUM> wt. %, or at least <NUM> wt. % glutamine in the form of free glutamine, glutamine dipeptide and/or glutamine tripeptide based on dry weight of the glutamine-based supplement. Preferably the glutamine-based supplement comprises at least <NUM> wt. %, more preferably at least <NUM> wt. %, most preferably more than <NUM> wt. % glutamine based on total protein. Preferably the glutamine-based supplement comprises at least <NUM> wt. %, more preferably at least <NUM> wt. %, more preferably at least <NUM> wt. % glutamine, even more preferably at least <NUM> wt. %, even more preferably at least <NUM> wt. %, most preferably at least <NUM> wt. % glutamine based on dry weight of the glutamine-based supplement. Preferably the glutamine-based supplement comprises at least <NUM>, more preferably at least <NUM>, more preferably at least <NUM> glutamine, even more preferably at least <NUM>, more preferably at least <NUM>, most preferably at least <NUM> glutamine based on <NUM> kcal.

In a preferred embodiment, the glutamine-based supplement for the use indicated in claim <NUM> is added to human milk, standard preterm formula, or human milk fortified with standard human milk fortifier in such an amount that the final nutritional composition glutamine enriched nutritional composition comprises at least <NUM> wt. %, more preferably at least <NUM> wt. %, more preferably at least <NUM> wt. %, even more preferably at least <NUM> wt. % glutamine based on total protein. Preferably the nutritional supplement for the use indicated in claim <NUM> is added to human milk, standard preterm formula, or human milk fortified with standard human milk fortifier in such an amount that the final glutamine enriched nutritional composition comprises at least <NUM> wt. %, more preferably at least <NUM> wt. %, even more preferably at least <NUM> wt. % glutamine based on dry weight of the nutritional composition. Preferably the nutritional supplement for the use indicated in claim <NUM> is added to human milk, standard preterm formula, or human milk fortified with standard human milk fortifier in such an amount that the final glutamine enriched nutritional composition comprises at least <NUM>, more preferably at least <NUM>, even more preferably at least <NUM> glutamine based on <NUM> kcal.

Preferably the nutritional supplement for the use indicated in claim <NUM> is added to human milk, standard preterm formula, or human milk fortified with standard human milk fortifier in such an amount that the final glutamine enriched nutritional composition comprises at least <NUM> wt. %, more preferably at least <NUM> wt. %, more preferably at least <NUM> wt. %, even more preferably at least <NUM> wt. % glutamine in the form of free amino acid and/or dipeptide based on total protein. Preferably the nutritional supplement for the use indicated in claim <NUM> is added to human milk, standard preterm formula, or human milk fortified with standard human milk fortifier in such an amount that the final glutamine enriched nutritional composition comprises at least <NUM> wt. %, more preferably at least <NUM> wt. %, even more preferably at least <NUM> wt. % glutamine in the form of amino acid and/or dipeptide based on dry weight of the nutritional composition. Preferably the nutritional supplement for the use indicated in claim <NUM> is added to human milk, standard preterm formula, or human milk fortified with standard human milk fortifier in such an amount that the final glutamine enriched nutritional composition comprises at least <NUM>, more preferably at least <NUM>, even more preferably at least <NUM> glutamine in the form of free amino acid and/or dipeptide based on <NUM> kcal.

Preferably, the daily dose of glutamine provided to the infant is between <NUM> and <NUM>/kg body weight, preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>/kg body weight, even more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>/kg body weight.

The nutritional composition for the use indicated in claim <NUM> according to the present invention advantageously concerns a composition wherein the lipid provides <NUM> to <NUM>% of the total calories, the protein provides <NUM> to <NUM>% of the total calories, and the carbohydrate provides <NUM> to <NUM>% of the total calories. Preferably, in the nutritional composition the lipid provides <NUM> to <NUM>% of the total calories, the protein provides <NUM> to <NUM>% of the total calories, and the carbohydrate provides <NUM> to <NUM>% of the total calories. For calculation of the % of total calories for the protein component, the total of energy provided by the proteins, peptides and amino acids needs to be taken into account.

The nutritional composition preferably comprises at least one lipid selected from the group consisting of animal lipid (excluding human lipids) and vegetable lipids. Preferably the present composition comprises a combination of vegetable lipids and at least one oil selected from the group consisting of fish oil, animal oil, algae oil, fungal oil, and bacterial oil. The nutritional composition comprising a prebiotic fiber and a probiotic excludes human milk.

The nutritional composition preferably comprises protein. The protein in the nutritional composition is preferably selected from the group consisting of non-human animal proteins (preferably milk proteins, preferably proteins from cow's milk), vegetable proteins (preferably soy protein and/or rice protein), free amino acids and mixtures thereof. The nutritional composition preferably contains casein, whey, hydrolyzed casein and/or hydrolyzed whey protein. Preferably the protein comprises intact proteins, more preferably intact bovine whey proteins and/or intact bovine casein proteins. As the present invention concerns a nutritional composition for use according to claim <NUM> in preterm or SGA infants, the protein is preferably selected from the group consisting of hydrolyzed milk protein, more preferably selected from the group consisting of hydrolyzed whey protein and hydrolyzed casein.

The nutritional composition preferably comprises digestible carbohydrates. The nutritional composition preferably comprises a digestible carbohydrate, wherein at least <NUM> wt. %, more preferably at least <NUM> wt. %, more preferably at least <NUM> wt. %, even more preferably at least <NUM> wt. %, most preferably at least <NUM> wt. % is lactose. The nutritional composition preferably comprises at least <NUM> grams lactose per <NUM> gram dry weight of the nutritional composition, preferably at least <NUM> grams lactose per <NUM> gram.

When in liquid from, the nutritional composition preferably has a caloric density between <NUM> and <NUM> kcal/ml, even more preferably a caloric density of between <NUM> and <NUM> kcal/ml, most preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> kcal/ml. The amount of nutritional composition administered per day is preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>, more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>, most preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>.

Preferably the nutritional composition for the use indicated in claim <NUM> according to the present invention is an infant formula. In one embodiment the nutritional composition for the use indicated in claim <NUM> according to the present invention is a preterm infant formula, or briefly preterm formula. The preterm formula comprises all macro- and micronutrients needed for preterm infants so as to achieve a growth similar to fetal growth coupled with satisfactory functional development.

In a preferred embodiment the preterm formula comprises from <NUM> to <NUM> wt. % protein, preferably <NUM> to <NUM> wt. %, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM> wt. % protein based on the dry weight of the preterm formula. In a preferred embodiment the preterm formula comprises from <NUM> to <NUM> protein, preferably, preferably <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably <NUM> to <NUM> protein, per <NUM>.

The preterm formula in ready to drink form has in a preferred embodiment about <NUM> to <NUM> kcal, preferably <NUM> to <NUM> kcal per <NUM>. The preterm formula preferably has an osmolarity below <NUM> mOsmol/l, more preferably below <NUM>, even more preferably below <NUM>. Particularly in preterm infants, a too high osmolarity is a disadvantage.

In one embodiment, the nutritional composition for the use indicated in claim <NUM> according to the invention is in dry form, preferably in the form of a powder. This powder is suitable for reconstitution with water or another aqueous phase. When the nutritional composition is in powder form it advantageously has a better shelf life.

Preferably the nutritional composition for the use indicated in claim <NUM> according to the present invention comprises long chain poly unsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA), more preferably n-<NUM> and n-<NUM> LC-PUFA, even more preferable arachidonic acid (ARA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). LC-PUFA is an important part of the fatty acyl chain composition of the brain membranes and therefore advantageously enhances brain microstructure maturation and supports accelerating maturation of cognition, supports accelerating learning ability and/or supports accelerating reaching memory objectives. The presence of LC-PUFA, in particular ARA and DHA, will have a further improved, or even synergistic, beneficial effect together with the prebiotic fiber, the probiotic and the glutamine.

n-<NUM> LC-PUFA, in particular docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), is an important part of the fatty acyl chain composition of the brain membranes and advantageously enhances brain microstructure maturation. More preferably, the nutritional composition comprises n-<NUM> LC-PUFA, even more preferably DHA. Since a low concentration of DHA is already effective, the content of n-<NUM> LC-PUFA in the nutritional composition, preferably does not exceed <NUM> wt. % of the total fatty acid content, preferably does not exceed <NUM> wt. %, even more preferably does not exceed <NUM> wt. Preferably the nutritional composition comprises at least <NUM> wt. %, preferably at least <NUM> wt. %, more preferably at least <NUM> wt. % n-<NUM> LC-PUFA of the total fatty acid content. The DHA content preferably does not exceed <NUM> wt. %, more preferably does not exceed <NUM> wt. %, but is preferably at least <NUM> wt. % of the total fatty acid. Preferably as a source of n-<NUM> LC-PUFA single cell oil, preferably algal oil, fungal oil and/or microbial oil is used, since these oil sources have a low EPA/DHA ratio, which results in a beneficial effect on the brain. More preferably the nutritional composition comprises fish oil, more preferably tuna oil.

n-<NUM> LC-PUFA, in particular arachidonic acid (ARA) is an important part of the fatty acyl chain composition of the brain membranes and advantageously enhances brain microstructure maturation. The nutritional composition preferably comprises relatively low amounts of ARA. The n-<NUM> LC-PUFA content preferably does not exceed <NUM> wt. %, more preferably does not exceed <NUM> wt. %, more preferably does not exceed <NUM> wt. %, even more preferably does not exceed <NUM> wt. % based on total fatty acids. Since ARA is important in infants for optimal functional membranes, especially membranes of neurological tissues, the amount of n-<NUM> LC-PUFA is preferably at least <NUM> wt. %, more preferably at least <NUM> wt. %, even more preferably at least <NUM> wt. % based on total fatty acids, more preferably at least <NUM> wt.

The weight ratio n-<NUM> LC-PUFA / n-<NUM> LC-PUFA, in particular the weight ratio of ARA/DHA in the nutritional composition is preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>. Preferably the weight ratio is above <NUM>. These ratio's ensure an optimal brain functioning.

LC-PUFA are preferably provided as free fatty acids, in triglyceride form, in diglyceride form, in monoglyceride form, in phospholipid form, or as a mixture of one of more of the above. Preferably the nutritional composition contains LC-PUFA in triglyceride and/or phospholipid form, even more preferably phospholipid form since LC-PUFA in phospholipid form are better incorporated into membranes. Therefore a dietary source of LC-PUFA in the form of phospholipids will have a further improved effect on the brain than when administered in form of triglycerides. A preferred source of LC-PUFA therefore is egg phospholipid. Commercial sources of egg oil, rich in phospholipids, and having arachidonic and docosahexaenoic fatty acyl chains in the phospholipid molecules are known.

Infants have an age of <NUM>-<NUM> months, toddlers have an age of <NUM>-<NUM> months. The nutritional composition for the use indicated in claim <NUM> is preferably enterally administered, more preferably orally. The present composition is preferably a nutritional formula, preferably an infant formula. The nutritional composition can advantageously be applied as a complete nutrition for infants. The nutritional composition preferably comprises lipid, protein, and carbohydrate and is preferably administered in liquid form. Dry nutritional compositions, e.g. powders, can be accompanied with instructions as to admix said dry compositions, in particular nutritional formula, with a suitable liquid, e.g. water.

The nutritional composition for the use indicated in claim <NUM> is for a preterm infant. A preterm infant can also be named a premature infant. A subgroup of premature infants are very preterm infants. A preterm infants is born before the end of the 37th week of pregnancy. A very preterm infant is born before the end of the 32th week of pregnancy. In one embodiment, the nutritional composition for the use indicated in claim <NUM> is for an infant that is born small for gestational age (SGA). An SGA infant is an infant whose birth weight lies below the 10th percentile for that gestational age. An SGA infant has usually been the subject of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Premature and/or SGA infants include low birth weight infants (LBW infants), very low birth weight infants (VLBW infants), and extremely low birth weight infants (ELBW infants). LBW infants are defined as infants with a weight less than <NUM>. VLBW infants as infants with a weight which is less than <NUM>, and ELBW infants as infants with a weight less than <NUM>. Preterm infants have an immature intestinal tract, hence it is preferred that the nutritional composition according to the invention is administered to the preterm infant starting at least in the first two weeks after birth, preferably within the first week after birth, more preferably at least within <NUM> days after birth, even more preferably at least within <NUM> days after birth, most preferably at least within <NUM> days after birth.

The nutritional composition of claim <NUM> might be for use in infants born via caesarean section (said use is not necessarily according to the present invention as set forth in claim <NUM>). A caesarean section (C-section) is a surgical procedure where an infant is delivered through an incision made in the mother's abdominal wall, and then through the wall of the uterus. It is of relevance to improve and/or accelerate developing the appropriate Bifidobacteria population and Bifidobacterium species diversity in the gastrointestinal tract of C-section delivered infants at the onset of life outside the womb, and that will contribute to create a favourable gut ecosystem milieu through their metabolic capability. Administration to the infant delivered via C-section could start at least in the first two weeks after birth, preferably within the first week after birth, more preferably at least within <NUM> days after birth, even more preferably at least within <NUM> days after birth, most preferably at least within <NUM> days after birth.

The present inventions concerns accelerating learning ability and/or accelerating reaching memory objectives preferably in a preterm infant.

Preferably the beneficial effects of accelerating learning ability and/or accelerating reaching memory objectives occurs in the first <NUM> months of life, preferably in the first <NUM> months of life, more preferably in the first <NUM> months of flife, more preferably in the first <NUM> months of life, most preferably in the first month of life.

Hence preferably the nutritional composition for the use indicated in claim <NUM> is adminstered in the first <NUM> months of life. However, as there are scientifically-based indications that the window of opportunity wherein the infant is more susceptible to cognition- and brain-related effects of nutritional interventions lies closer to the day of birth, the nutritional composition for the use indicated in claim <NUM> is preferably adminstered in the first <NUM> months of life, more preferably in the first <NUM> months of life, more preferably in the first <NUM> months of life, most preferably in the first month of life. In a preferred embodiment, the nutritional composition for the use indicated in claim <NUM> is administered to preterm infants starting at least in the first two weeks after birth, preferably within the first week after birth, more preferably at least within <NUM> days after birth, even more preferably at least within <NUM> days after birth, most preferably at least within <NUM> days after birth.

Forty piglets from two litters were delivered by cesarean section at <NUM>% gestation and housed and handled as described previously (Andersen AD et al. , Delayed growth, motor function and learning in preterm pigs during early postnatal life. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. <NUM> Jan <NUM>). Passive immunity was provided to all piglets by infusion of maternal plasma at <NUM> (<NUM>/kg), <NUM> (<NUM>/kg), and <NUM> (<NUM>/kg) after birth. Initially, all piglets received parenteral nutrition (PN, modified Kabiven, Fresenius Kabi, Bad Homburg, Germany). PN volumes were advanced from <NUM>-<NUM>/kg/day from day <NUM>-<NUM>. The enteral basal milk diet in both groups consisted of raw bovine milk that was fed from day <NUM>, gradually increasing over the study period (<NUM>-<NUM>/kg/d). The piglets were randomly assigned to two groups: the intervention group and control group (PPG vs CON). During day <NUM>-<NUM>, scGOS and IcFOS were added in a ratio of <NUM>:<NUM> to the milk diet in the PPG group. Glutamine concentration was kept constant at <NUM>/kg/d throughout the experiment in the PPG group. breve M16-V was provided at <NUM> x <NUM><NUM> CFU per animal per day (reconstituted in <NUM> raw milk) as a single daily dose in the PPG group. The control group (CON) was given the same volume of <NUM> using maltodextrin (<NUM>/ml) as placebo. To match the extra carbohydrate and protein provided in the PPG diet, the CON diet was prepared by adding glucose at <NUM>/L and lactose at <NUM>/L.

On day <NUM>, all piglets were DEXA-scanned in ventral recumbency following anesthesia with an intra-muscular injection of a zoletil. Subsequently, the pigs were euthanized with an intracardiac injection of sodium pentobarbital. The brain was removed from the skull and wet weights of the cerebrum, cerebellum, brain stem (including the midbrain, pons and medulla oblongata), caudate nucleus, and hippocampus were obtained. The right cerebral hemisphere and the cerebellum were immediately immersed in <NUM>% formaldehyde and sub-regions (hippocampus, caudate nucleus, prefrontal cortex) were dissected from the left cerebral hemisphere and snap frozen.

Cognition was assessed in a spatial maze task designed with clear plexiglas walls as a plus-shaped maze where one of two possible start arms was sealed off to form a T-maze during testing. The maze was surrounded by gray curtains to avoid unintended shift of focus during testing and which at the same time allowed access for placing and removing individual pigs from the maze. Four posters with different colors and patterns attached to the curtains served as extra maze cues, by which the pigs had to learn to navigate and remember to obtain a milk reward (<NUM>-<NUM> of cow's milk). For each pig, this accessible reward was placed in a fixed maze arm (e.g. east) while an equal amount of inaccessible milk was placed in the opposite arm (west) to mask olfactory cues. All piglets were tested for six days (<NUM> trials / session) and the starting position in each trial within a session was altered (north or south arm) by block randomization to ensure that the starting position was balanced within a single session. The alternating positions force the pigs to solve the maze by using the visual cues and apply an allocentric learning strategy to reach the learning criterion (≥ <NUM> out of <NUM> correct choices). This performance criterion of <NUM>% correct indicates that the piglets had successfully acquired the task. At each test session, a food-deprived pig was placed in the maze and the experimenter left the room. A trial began when a guillotine door to the start box was opened by use of a string system operated from the adjacent room. The trial ended when the pig passed a choice line marked on the floor of the east or west arm of the maze. All sessions were video recorded and subsequently analyzed with Ethovision XT10 providing information on distance travelled and latency to choice.

Performance in the T-maze, indicated as the mean proportion of correct choices, increased over time in both groups (P<<NUM>). Surprisingly, however, in this learning and memory task, the ability of PPG piglets to locate the food reward improved over time with piglets surpassing the performance criterion of <NUM>% correct by day <NUM> of acquisition in an accelerated manner compared to CON animals. CON animals required <NUM> day more (<FIG>).

As the average proportion of correct choices across a treatment group is influenced by pigs performing either very high or very low, a complementary way of displaying the data is the proportion of pigs reaching the learning criterion of <NUM>% correct choices over time. From this analysis, the increase in the proportion of pigs reaching the learning criterion was higher in the PPG vs. CON pigs (P<<NUM>, <FIG>).

Both groups had a similar motivation to solve the task, as evidenced from a lack of statistical differences for both speed of decision-making and distance travelled during the task between the two groups.

Fixed cerebral hemispheres were subjected to diffusion tensor MR imaging. MR experiments were performed on an actively-shielded <NUM>. 4T/<NUM> magnet (Agilent) equipped with <NUM> gradient coils (<NUM> mT/m, <NUM>) with a <NUM> diameter birdcage coil. A multi-b-value shell protocol was acquired using a spin-echo sequence with the following parameters: FOV = <NUM>×<NUM> mm2, matrix size = <NUM>×<NUM>, <NUM> slices of <NUM> thickness in the axial plane with a gap of <NUM> between each, <NUM> averages with TE/TR = <NUM>/<NUM>. A total of <NUM> diffusion weighted images were acquired, <NUM> of them as b0 reference images. The remaining <NUM> were separated in <NUM> shells with the following distribution (# of directions/b-value in s/mm2): <NUM>/<NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM> and <NUM>/<NUM>. All <NUM> directions were non-collinear and were uniformly distributed in each shell. The total acquisition time was <NUM> per brain. Acquired data were fitted using the NODDI toolbox (<NUM>). The diffusion tensor (DT) was spatially normalized to the study-specific DT template using DTI-TK (<NUM>). The regions of interest (ROI) were drawn on the DT study-specific template and were then transformed back to the subject space in order to compute ROI-averaged estimates of DTI and NODDI maps. Four different brain regions were identified on the DT-template: cortex (Cx), corpus callosum (CC), internal capsule (IC) and Cortico-cortical tract (CCT).

Brain white matter microstructure assessed on NODDI derived parameters of the right cerebral hemisphere, showed ~<NUM>% reduced radial diffusivity (P<<NUM>) and <NUM>% increased fractional anisotropy values (P<<NUM>) in the cortico-cortical tract (<FIG>), and tendencies to reduced radial (~<NUM>%) and mean (~<NUM>%) diffusivities in the internal capsule (<FIG>; both P=<NUM>), in PPG pigs compared to the values in CON pigs. This is consistent with an increased maturation of association and projection white matter fiber bundles in the PPG group, respectively. In the gray matter, fractional anisotropy values were ~<NUM>% lower (P=<NUM>) and the orientation dispersion index (ODI) ~<NUM>% higher in PPG pigs (<FIG>; P<<NUM>), both of which are consistent with advanced microstructural maturational processes in the gray matter.

Group differences in growth were assessed by repeated measures ANOVA adjusted for sex, birth weight and litter using the lme function in the software package R (version <NUM>. Similarly, group mean performance, latency to choice, distance travelled within the maze and home cage activity were analyzed with repeated measures adjusted for litter and initially adjusted also for sex. The increment in proportion of pigs performing ≥ <NUM>% in the T-maze was analyzed with repeated measures logistic regression adjusted for litter using the glmer-function.

Preterm formula in powder form comprising per <NUM> about <NUM> kcal, <NUM> protein, <NUM> digestible carbohydrates (mainly lactose and maltodextrin), <NUM> fat and <NUM> non-digestible oligosaccharides. The protein comprises about <NUM> wt. % casein and whey protein from cow's milk based on total protein in a weight ratio of <NUM>:<NUM>. About <NUM> wt. % of the protein is free L-glutamine. The non-digestible oligosaccharides are galacto-oligosaccharides (Source Vivinal GOS, Borculo Domo) and fructo-polysaccharides (Source RaftilinHP, Orafti ) in a weight ratio of <NUM>:<NUM>. Due to the EU directives the non digestible disaccharides in the GOS do not qualify as dietary fiber. Hence the fiber content is labeled to be <NUM> per <NUM> powder. <NUM><NUM> cfu of Bifidobacterium breve M-16V (Morinaga) is present per g powder. Fat is for the main part of vegetable origin but also tuna fish oil (source of DHA), algae oil (source of ARA) arachidonic acid (ARASCO, Martek) and egg lipid (source of DHA and ARA) are present as a source of LC-PUFA, resulting in <NUM> wt% ARA based on total fatty acyl chains and <NUM> wt% DHA based on total fatty acyl chains. Furthermore the composition comprises minerals, trace elements, vitamins, and other micronutrients as known in the art and according to guidelines for preterm infants. For a ready to drink formula, the instructions are to dilute <NUM> powder (<NUM> scoops) with water until a final volume of <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A nutritional composition comprising a prebiotic fiber and a probiotic bacterium and glutamine for use in accelerating learning ability and/or accelerating reaching memory objectives in an infant, wherein the infant is a preterm infant and/or an infant that is born small for gestational age (SGA), and wherein the acceleration is in comparison to preterm infants and/or infants that are born small for gestational age (SGA) not being adminstered the nutritional composition comprising prebiotic fiber and probiotic bacterium and glutamine.