Mimicking human milk functions: the human milk oligosaccharide building block GlcNAc in combination with GOS protects the intestinal barrier

The intestinal barrier plays a crucial role in infant health by regulating nutrient absorption and limiting exposure to pathogens. Its development is rapid and stimulated by compounds like hMOs found in breastmilk. However, where breastfeeding is not possible, infants rely on infant formula which generally lacks hMOs. hMOs are expensive and difficult to synthesize and instead infant formula is often supplemented with other non-digestible carboydrates such as GOS. In contrast, the building blocks that compose hMOs are more easily accessible. In this study, we investigated whether the building blocks GlcNAc and Neu5Ac in combination with the non-digestible carbohydrate GOS can protect the intestinal barrier function. An in vitro model using T84 intestinal epithelial cells exposed to the disruptors A23187 and Tunicamycin after a pre-treatment with GlcNAc or Neu5Ac and/or GOS was used. Our findings demonstrated that GlcNAc in combination with GOS was able to modulate the intestinal barrier function, supporting their potential use in promoting barrier development in early life while also being economical and sustainable.