TABLE 4.
Fecal metabolites and their associated functional metabolic categories at 3, 6, 9, and 12 mo of age from either BF, MF, or SF infants1
| Metabolite | Functional category | Diet effect | Month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butyric acid | SCFA | BF > MF; BF > SF | 3, 6, 9; 3, 6 |
| Propionic acid | SCFA | BF < FF | 3, 6 |
| Isovaleric acid | SCFA | BF > FF | 3, 6 |
| Isobutyric acid | SCFA | BF < FF | 3, 6 |
| Dopamine | Neurotransmitter | BF > MF; BF > SF | 3, 6, 9; 3, 6 |
| d-sphingosine | Involved in immune cell trafficking | BF > FF | 3, 6, 9 |
| Kyneuric acid | Tryptophan metabolism | BF > FF | 3, 6, 9 |
| Indole-3-lactic acid | Tryptophan metabolism | BF > SF | 3, 6 |
| Indole-3-acetic acid | Tryptophan metabolism | BF > SF | 3 |
| Betaine | Helps reduce Th17 cells, IL-6 production | BF > FF | 3, 6, 9 |
| Genistein | Soy-derived isoflavone | BF, MF < SF | 3, 6, 9 |
| Jasmonic acid | Plant stress hormone | BF, MF < SF | 3, 6, 9 |
| 3,5-Dihydroxybenzoic acid | Phenyl alanine metabolism in bacteria | BF > FF | 9, 12 |
| 1-Methyluric acid | Microbial metabolite of methylxanthines | BF > FF | 3, 6, 9 |
| Azelaic acid | Plant product | BF, MF < SF | 3, 6, 9, 12 |
1
See Supplemental Tables 6 (metabolites detected in positive ion mode) and 7 (metabolites detected in negative ion mode) for a complete list of the metabolites affected by diet. Statistical differences were assessed by Kruskal–Wallis test followed by correction for multiple comparisons using Benjamini and Hochberg's false discovery rate adjustment. The functional categories of the metabolites were obtained from the Human Metabolome Database. BF, breastfed; MF, cow milk–based formula; SF, soy-based formula.