We have found that feeding LR significantly reduced the incidence and severity of NEC via a modulation of pro-inflammatory signaling via Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear factor-B (NF-B), resulting in decreased mucosal pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β [11]. This evidence concerns the gene TNF and necrotizing enterocolitis.