Supplementation of infant formulae with nucleotides

Nucleotides, nucleosides and nucleobases belong to the nonprotein-nitrogen (NPN) fraction of milk. The species-specific concentration pattern of these milk constituents shows the species-specific physiological relevance of th ese minor compounds for the neonate. Dietary nucleosides and nucleotides ar e ingested in the form of nucleoproteins and degraded to monomeric componen ts in the course of digestion. Concerning their biological role they do not only act as metabolites but are, furthermore, involved as bioactive substa nces in the body regulation. Dietary nucleotides enhance antibody responses of infants as shown by a study with more than 300 full-term healthy infant s. Furthermore, dietary nucleotides are known to facilitate intestinal iron absorption as well as to improve the maturation of the gut. Recent finding s on effector properties of nucleosides in human cell model systems have de monstrated that the modified components, in particular, inhibit cell prolif eration and activate apoptosis. The Commission of the European Community has allowed to supplement infant a nd follow-on formulae with nucleotides because of new scientific data in nu cleot(s)ide research and has amended, therefore, the Directive 91/321/EEC i n 1996. Due to the new Commission Directive 96/4/EC of 16 February 1996 the following nucleoside-5'-monophosphates 5'-AMP, 5'-CMP, 5'-GMP, 5'-IMP and 5'-UMP may be added to infant and follow-on formulae; the total concentrati on of nucleotides is not to exceed 5 mg/100 kcal. Our idea is to supplement infant formulae with nucleotides and/or nucleosides at feast up to a level where they correspond to the experimentally detected mean content of "Tota l Potentially Available Nucleosides" (TPAN). Thus, via nucleotide-supplemen ted infant formulae, the positive effects of breast milk are also available for neonates which are not breastfed.