(P23-064-23) Milk Fat Globule Membrane-Enriched Dairy Milk Does Not Adversely Affect Fasting or Postprandial Cardiometabolic and Intestinal Biomarkers in Adults With Metabolic Syndrome

Objectives: Dairy milk-derived milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) has anti-inflammatory activities in preclinical models and human infants but has received limited study in adults. We hypothesized that an MFGM-enriched dairy milk beverage (MEB) would alleviate metabolic endotoxemia-associated inflammation in adults with metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Methods: In a 2-arm, randomized, crossover trial, persons with MetS (n = 24; 37.3 ± 2.0 y) were provided 3 daily servings of MEB that was formulated with 2.3 g/d of milk phospholipids and butter fat or a matched comparator beverage (COMP) formulated with soy lecithin and palm/coconut oils (75:25) for 2-wk while following a prescribed diet; para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) was added to both beverages. Circulating endotoxin, glucose, insulin, incretins, and triglycerides were measured spectrophotometrically pre- and post-intervention and for 3 h postprandially at 2-wk after consuming a high-fat/high-carbohydrate meal that contained non-digestible sugar probes. mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory genes were assessed from whole blood. Fecal calprotectin and myeloperoxidase were evaluated by ELISA. Urine was collected for 24-h at study completion to assess gut permeability by LC-MS.

Results: Participants completed the study with no adverse effects and with high compliance based on spot urine PABA increasing by 6-times, on average, throughout each intervention phase compared with pre-study concentrations. Between-treatment energy and macronutrient intakes did not differ. Fasting concentrations of endotoxin, glucose, incretins, and triglyceride were unaffected at post-intervention, and meal-induced increases in these markers did not differ between treatments. Expression levels of 6 different pro-inflammatory genes from whole blood were unaffected by test beverages. Markers of gut health, including fecal calprotectin and myeloperoxidase, as well as urinary excretion of gut sugar probes, did not differ between treatments.

Conclusions: MEB did not alleviate endotoxemia or improve gut barrier function, metabolic health, or inflammation in persons with MetS. This suggests that MFGM-enriched dairy milk does not adversely impact cardiometabolic health compared with a beverage formulated with plant-derived phospholipids and oils.

Funding Sources: National Dairy Council/Dairy Management Inc.