3.2. Fortification of Formula with 2′-FL Increases Levels of Circulating Microbiota-Derived Metabolites
Given that our data demonstrated significant differences in systemic metabolites in breastfed infants relative to infants who were exclusively formula fed, we asked whether targeted fortification of infant formula could be utilized to support a metabolic profile that more closely resembled that seen among breastfed infants. HMOs, and 2′-FL in particular, have been established as potent prebiotic compounds both in vitro [We examined plasma metabolite composition among infants fed formula fortified with 2′-FL at 0.2 g/L (However, the potential impact of 2′-FL fortification on plasma metabolites extends well beyond the increase in 2′-FL and its immediate catabolic products, fucose, and lactose. We examined the fold change in plasma metabolites in infants fed formula containing 0.2–1.0 g/L 2′-FL relative to infants fed control formula (Given prior data establishing 2′-FL as a potent and selective prebiotic oligosaccharide [