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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
Effects of iron supplementation on dominant bacterial groups in the gut, faecal SCFA and gut inflammation: A randomised, placebo-controlled intervention trial in South African children
British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 112, No. 4, Year 2014
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Description
Fe supplementation is a common strategy to correct Fe-deficiency anaemia in children; however, it may modify the gut microbiota and increase the risk for enteropathogenic infection. In the present study, we studied the impact of Fe supplementation on the abundance of dominant bacterial groups in the gut, faecal SCFA concentration and gut inflammation in children living in rural South Africa. In a randomised, placebo-controlled intervention trial of 38 weeks, 6-to 11-year-old children with Fe deficiency received orally either tablets containing 50 mg Fe as FeSO4 (n 22) for 4 d/week or identical placebo (n 27). In addition, Fe-sufficient children (n 24) were included as a non-treated reference group. Faecal samples were analysed at baseline and at 2, 12 and 38 weeks to determine the effects of Fe supplementation on ten bacterial groups in the gut (quantitative PCR), faecal SCFA concentration (HPLC) and gut inflammation (faecal calprotectin concentration). At baseline, concentrations of bacterial groups in the gut, faecal SCFA and faecal calprotectin did not differ between Fe-deficient and Fe-sufficient children. Fe supplementation significantly improved Fe status in Fe-deficient children and did not significantly increase faecal calprotectin concentration. Moreover, no significant effect of Fe treatment or time × treatment interaction on the concentrations of bacterial groups in the gut or faecal SCFA was observed compared with the placebo treatment. Also, there were no significant differences observed in the concentrations of any of the bacterial target groups or faecal SCFA at 2, 12 or 38 weeks between the three groups of children when correcting for baseline values. The present study suggests that in African children with a low enteropathogen burden, Fe status and dietary Fe supplementation did not significantly affect the dominant bacterial groups in the gut, faecal SCFA concentration or gut inflammation. © 2014 The Authors.
Authors & Co-Authors
Dostal, Alexandra
Switzerland, Zurich
Eth Zürich
Baumgartner, Jeannine
Switzerland, Zurich
Eth Zürich
South Africa, Potchefstroom
North-west University
Riesen, Nathalie
Switzerland, Zurich
Eth Zürich
Chassard, Christophe
Switzerland, Zurich
Eth Zürich
Smuts, Cornelius Marius
South Africa, Potchefstroom
North-west University
Zimmermann, Michaël Bruce
Switzerland, Zurich
Eth Zürich
Lacroix, Christophe C.
Switzerland, Zurich
Eth Zürich
Statistics
Citations: 86
Authors: 7
Affiliations: 2
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1017/S0007114514001160
ISSN:
00071145
e-ISSN:
14752662
Research Areas
Maternal And Child Health
Study Design
Randomised Control Trial
Study Approach
Quantitative
Study Locations
South Africa