cover story Nucleotides
by Claire Loades
Do they have a role in human health?
Registered Nutritionist
In Japan infant formula has been of the structure of DNA and RNA
supplemented with nucleotides and are essential compounds in the
since 1965; it took the rest of the energy transfer system (i.e. in ATP,
world another 20-30 years to catch NADP, NADH) (4, 5), thus it has been
and Nigel Denby
on to the concept. assumed that they play an important
Dietitian and Author
Supplementation of infant formula role in carbohydrate, lipid, protein
is reported to have beneficial effects and nucleic acid metabolism (3,6).
The source of nucleotides
on faecal microbiota, by increasing It is anticipated that cells of tis-
Nucleotides can be synthesised
the count of ‘friendly’ bifidobacteria sues which are growing rapidly or
by the body de novo from some
(1), decreasing the count of entero- have a high turnover rate will have
amino acids e.g. glutamine, aspar-
bacteria, reducing the incidence of a higher requirement for nucleo-
tate and glycine (6) or from glucose
diarrhoea (2) and modulating immune tides, for DNA/RNA synthesis, than
function (3). This triggered research cells of tissues growing more slowly.
(3). Nucleotides, nucleosides, nucle-
into whether nucleotides are important Such cells include enterocytes in the
ic acids, bases and deoxyribose can
in adult health and if supplemental gastrointestinal tract and cells of the
also be salvaged from DNA and RNA
nucleotides can enhance health or immune system (4).
degradation or from the diet and be
prevent or treat clinical conditions. Other reported functions of
recycled (6).
nucleotides include:
Unclear from current evidence
What are nucleotides? • Modification of intestinal microflora
is the relative importance of each
DNA is the blueprint of life and (7);
source of nucleotides when supply-
nucleotides form the backbone of • Influencing lymphocyte matura-
ing the body’s nucleotide pool and
the DNA double helix. Nucleotides tion,
if one source is more important than
consist of a nitrogen-containing activation (2) and proliferation (8);
the others. The source of nucleo-
base (mostly adenine, thymine, • Improvement of gastrointestinal
tides used may be tissue specific
cytosine, guanine and uracil), a 5- tract repair after damage (9);
and dependent on the phase of
carbon sugar (ribose or deoxyribose) • Enhance macrophage phagocy-
the cell cycle at the time (6). Some
and one to three phosphate groups. tosis (2);
evidence suggests that it is more
• Facilitating liver recovery from efficient to utilise nucleotides and
Functions ischaemia or surgery (10); derivatives from the diet because de
Nucleotides are an integral part • As a Component of co-enzymes (11). novo synthesis is metabolically costly
10 NHDmag.com Aug/Sep ‘08 - issue 37
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