Nonimmune system responses to dietary nucleotides.

Studies have demonstrated that a fecal flora with a predominance of bifidobacteria develops in infants fed a nucleotide-supplemented commercial formula, closer to that in breast-fed infants. In contrast, enterobacteria predominate in the fecal flora of infants fed an unsupplemented formula. When given parenterally, nucleotides promote recovery from injuries caused by hepatotoxic agents. These results suggest that dietary nucleotides may potentially play a significant role in nutrition.