GlyCare® 2FL HMO Supplement
2'FL (2'fucosyllactose) is the most abundant fucosylated Human Milk Oligosaccharide (HMO) in human milk at ~2g/L1 and can have a beneficial effect on the health of infants
GlyCare® 2 fucosyllactose
Currently, GlyCare® 2FL is commercially available for use in infant formula, baby and kids nutrition and supplements as well as general digestive health applications in the following products:
- GlyCare® 2FL 9000 - Premium crystallized powder
- GlyCare® 2FL 9000HA - Hypoallergenic, Crystallized powder
- GlyCare® 2FL 9000KfP - Kosher for Passover, Crystallized powder
Immunity and infections
HMOs help support immunity. Clinical studies have reported a relationship between HMOs and some immune outcomes in infants. Emerging science suggest that specific HMOs at the correct level of supplementation may help to reduce the risk of certain infections in infants consuming infant formula and in infants who are breastfed.
In two separate clinical HMO studies, supplementing infant formula with HMOs; the addition of 2 fucosyllactose plus galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) or 2 fucosyllactose plus LNnT were reported to help support the immune system. The clinical trial, supplementing infant formula with 2’FL + LNnT reported a reduction in the incidence of certain (parent-reported) infections and illnesses. This included significantly fewer reports of lower respiratory tract infections; and a significant reduction in the use of anti-fever medication, and antibiotics during the first 12 months of life2.
In the second clinical study, supplementing IF with GOS and 2’FL, a reduction in incidence of infection was reported3. Further analysis of the cohort revealed a significant decrease in respiratory tract infections4. Also, the 2’FL supplemented formula group reported modulation of cytokine expression to that more closely resembling the breast fed group5.
Observational study data from breast fed infants may suggest an additional immunological benefit associated with 2’FL. Those infants consuming breastmilk with higher levels of 2’FL compared to those with lower levels were reported to have reduced rates of moderate to severe diarrhea from any cause6. Also, a high ratio of 2-linked oligosaccharides (vs. only 3- and 4- linked) was associated with a decreased risk of diarrhea from any cause, including moderate-to-severe diarrhea from enterotoxigenic E. coli7.
Gut health and microbiota
Clinical and preclinical studies report that human milk oligosaccharides may help to stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria, which are believed to be important for development of the microbiota and gut health.
A clinical trial of infant formula supplemented with 2’FL and LNnT reported an increase in the population of bifidobacteria and an infant fecal microbiota more closely resembling that of a breast fed infant2,8. Moreover the 2’FL + LNnT supplemented group was also reported to help bring the intestinal microbiota of those infants born by C-section closer to that observed in infants born vaginally, from the control group8. At 2 months of age significantly softer stools were reported in the 2’FL+ LNnT group2.
Observational study data from breast fed infants indicate that rates of moderate-to-severe diarrhea from any cause diarrhea from Camplylobacter jejuni, and diarrhea from Campylobacter were reduced in infants who consumed breast milk with higher levels of 2’FL compared to those consumed lower levels6. Also a high ratio of 2-linked oligosaccharides (versus only 3- and 4- linked) was associated with a decreased risk of diarrhea from any cause, including moderate-to-severe diarrhea from enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli7.
Preclinical studies also indicate 2’FL may help to stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria9,10,11 and contribute to normal gut barrier function12,13
Brain and cognitive development
Emerging science from observational study data in the breastfed infant and preclinical data in rodent models may suggest a potential role for 2’FL in brain and cognitive development. Data from a study of breast fed infants indicated the 2’FL concentration of breast milk at 1 month of age was associated with higher infant cognitive development scores at 24 months of age14. A number of preclinical studies in rodent models provide potential mechanisms of action for 2’FL in cognitive development and function15,16,17.
Hypoallergenicity
Cow’s milk allergy (CMA) is an immune response to proteins found in cow’s milk. It is one of the most common food allergies, impacting up to 3% at 1 year of age in developed countries9,18. Extensively hydrolyzed protein infant formulas may be recommended by a doctor for use in non-breast fed infants with CMA. A recent clinical study of infants and children 2 months - 4 years of age with CMA reported that an extensively hydrolyzed infant formula, with 2’FL and LNnT10 was safe and well tolerated. The formulation meets the American Academy of Pediatrics criteria for hypoallergenicity.
Allergy development
A clinical study and observational study data from breastfed infants and preclinical data suggest that 2'FL may play a role in beneficially changing the response to allergens.
A clinical trial compared supplementation of an infant formula with galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) with and without the addition of 2’FL. The parent reported data indicated a significantly higher percentage of infants with eczema in the group which did not receive 2’FL supplementation3. Observational study data also indicated that infants born by C-section with a high risk for allergies, when fed breastmilk with 2’FL had a lower risk of eczema at 2 years of age20.
References
1. Erney, R. M., et al., (2000). J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr: 30, 181-92.
2. Puccio, G. et al., (2017). Effects of infant formula with human milk oligosaccharides on growth and morbidity: a randomized multicenter trial. JPGN 64: 624-31.
3. Marriage, B., Buck, R. B., Goehring, K.C, Oliver, J.S, and Williams, J.A, (2015). Infants Fed a Lower Calorie Formula With 2’FL Show Growth and 2’FL Uptake Like Breast-Fed Infants. JPGN 61 (6), 649 – 658. doi: 10.1097/MPG.0000000000000889.
4. Reverri, E.J. et al., (2018). Review of the clinical experiences of feeding infants formula containing the human milk oligosaccharide 2’-fucosyllactose. Nutrients, 10: 1346.
5. Goehring et al., (2016). Similar to those who are breastfed, infants fed a formula containing 2’-fucosyllactose have lower inflammatory cytokines in a randomized controlled trial. J. Nutr. 146: 2559-66.
6. Morrow et al., (2004). Human milk oligosaccharides are associated with protection against diarrhea in breast-fed infants. J Pediatrics, 145: 297-303.
7. Newburg et al., (2004). Human milk a1,2-linked fucosylated oligosaccharides decrease risk of diarrhea due to stable toxin of E. coli in breastfed infants. Adv Exp Med Biol, 554: 457-461.
8. Berger, B et al., (2020). Linking human milk oligosaccharides, infant fecal community types, and later risk to require antibiotics. mBio 11: e03196-19.
9. Yu, Z. T., Chen, C., Kling, D. E., Liu, B., McCoy, J. M., Merighi, M., … Newburg, D. S. (2013). The principal fucosylated oligosaccharides of human milk exhibit prebiotic properties on cultured infant microbiota. Glycobiology, 23(2), 169–177. https://doi.org/10.1093/glycob/cws138
10. Krista Salli, Heli Anglenius, Johanna Hirvonen, Ashley A. Hibberd, Ilmari Ahonen, Markku T. Saarinen, Kirsti Tiihonen, Johanna Maukonen, A. C. O. (2019). The effect of 2′-fucosyllactose on simulated infant gut microbiome and metabolites; a pilot study in comparison to GOS and lactose. Scientific Reports. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-49497-z
11. Azagra-Boronat, I., Massot-Cladera, M., Knipping, K., van‘t Land, B., Tims, S., Stahl, B., … Rodríguez-Lagunas, M. J. (2019). Oligosaccharides Modulate Rotavirus-Associated Dysbiosis and TLR Gene Expression in Neonatal Rats. Cells, 8(8), 876. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells8080876
12. Kong, C., Elderman, M., Cheng, L., de Haan, B. J., Nauta, A., & de Vos, P. (2019). Modulation of Intestinal Epithelial Glycocalyx Development by Human Milk Oligosaccharides and Non-Digestible Carbohydrates. Molecular Nutrition and Food Research, 63(17). https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.201900303
13. Holscher, H. D., Bode, L., & Tappenden, K. A. (2017). Human Milk Oligosaccharides Influence Intestinal Epithelial Cell Maturation in Vitro. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 64(2), 296–301. https://doi.org/10.1097/MPG.0000000000001274
14. Berger PK, Plows JF, Jones RB, et al. Human milk oligosaccharide 2'-fucosyllactose links feedings at 1 month to cognitive development at 24 months in infants of normal and overweight mothers. PLoS One. 2020;15(2):e0228323. Published 2020 Feb 12. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0228323
15. Vázquez, E., Barranco, A., Ramírez, M., Gruart, A., Delgado-García, J. M., Martínez-Lara, E., … Rueda, R. (2015). Effects of a human milk oligosaccharide, 2′-fucosyllactose, on hippocampal long-term potentiation and learning capabilities in rodents. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 26(5), 455–465. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnutbio.2014.11.016
16. Oliveros, E., Ramirez, M., Vazquez, E., Barranco, A., Gruart, A., Delgado-Garcia, J. M., … Martin, M. J. (2016). Oral supplementation of 2’-fucosyllactose during lactation improves memory and learning in rats. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 31, 20–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnutbio.2015.12.014
17. Vazquez, E., Barranco, A., Ramirez, M., Gruart, A., Delgado-Garcia, J. M., Jimenez, M. L., … Rueda, R. (2016). Dietary 2′-fucosyllactose enhances operant conditioning and long-term potentiation via gut-brain communication through the vagus nerve in rodents. PLoS ONE, 11(11), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0166070
18. Flom JD, Sicherer SH. (2019). Epidemiology of Cow's Milk Allergy. Nutrients. 10;11(5):1051.
19. Nowak-Wegrzyn et al., (2019). Confirmed hypoallergenicity of a novel whey-based extensively hydrolyzed infant formula containing two human milk oligosaccharides. Nutrients 11: 1447.
20. Sprenger et al., (2017). FUT2-dependent breast milk oligosaccharides and allergy at 2 and 5 years of age in infants with high hereditary allergy risk. Eur J Nutr., 56: 1293-1301.
HMO health benefits & solutions
Human milk oligosaccharides may support a number of health benefits such as immunity and gut health in early life.
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