Effect of nucleotide intake and nutritional recovery on insulin-like growth factor I and other hormonal biomarkers in severely malnourished children.

The objective of the present study is to demonstrate the effect of nucleotide intake and intensive nutritional support on the concentration of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and other hormonal biomarkers in severely malnourished children. Twenty-six severely malnourished children < 48 months of age received formula without lactose via enteral feeding for 2 weeks and ad libitum for an additional 2 weeks. Anthropometrical measurements were performed and serum concentrations of IGF-I, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), leptin, soluble leptin receptor (sOB-R), as well as the estimated molar excess of sOB-R over leptin were obtained. Two groups were formed. One group received formula with nucleotides (NT+; n 13) and the other without nucleotides (NT-; n 13). A control group was included (n 13). Parametric and non-parametric tests as well as ANOVA models were used. Nutritional recovery, nucleotides intake, type of malnutrition, age and the interaction between gender and malnutrition influenced the concentration of IGF-I (P < 0.001). Nutritional recovery, nucleotides intake, gender and type of malnutrition had an effect on IGFBP-3 (P < 0.001). Nutritional recovery had a significant effect on serum leptin (P = 0.001). Age and nutritional recovery had an effect on sOB-R (P < 0.001); all variables included affected the molar excess of sOB-R over leptin (P < 0.001). In conclusion, nucleotide intake and nutritional recovery had a notable effect on IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and other hormonal biomarkers. This outcome could stimulate the catch-up growth of severely malnourished infants and toddlers during the nutritional recovery period.