Synthetic disialyl hexasaccharides protect neonatal rats from necrotizing enterocolitis

Abstract

Two novel synthetic a2-6-linked disialyl hexasaccharides, disialyllacto-N-neotetraose (DSLNnT) and a2-6-linked disialyllacto-N-tetraose (DS'LNT), were readily obtained by highly efficient one-pot multienzyme (OPME) reactions. The sequential OPME systems described herein allowed the use of an inexpensive disaccharide and simple monosaccharides to synthesize the desired complex oligosaccharides with high efficiency and selectivity. DSLNnT and DS'LNT were shown to protect neonatal rats from necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and are good therapeutic candidates for preclinical experiments and clinical application in treating NEC in preterm infants.