高能低糖营养液在COPD机械通气病人营养支持中的疗效观察

目的:探讨慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)并发呼吸衰竭病人机械通气时,早期应用高能低糖肠内营养对病人治疗效果的影响。方法:将40例病人随机分为试验组(使用高能低糖肠内营养液)和对照组(使用普通肠内营养液),治疗10d。比较两组病人每分钟通气量(VE),二氧化碳生成量(VCO2),动脉血二氧化碳分压(PaCO2),机械通气时间,血清清蛋白,免疫球蛋白,总淋巴细胞计数等。结果:治疗后,试验组病人的PaCO2、VCO2与对照组相比有明显改善(P0.05);机械通气时间亦短于对照组(P0.05)。两组病人的血清清蛋白、免疫球蛋白和淋巴细胞计数等无显著性差异(P0.05)。结论:COPD机械通气病人,尽早合理地应用高能低糖肠内营养支持治疗,能有效地减少病人CO生成量,降低呼吸商,缩短机械通气时间,提高综合治疗的疗效。     

Comparison of a high-protein disease-specific enteral formula with a high-protein enteral formula in hyperglycemic critically ill patients

AIMS: To determine whether a specific high-protein enteral formula with a similar caloric percentage of fat and carbohydrates achieves greater control over glycemic levels and reduces insulin requirements in hyperglycemic critically ill patients when compared to a control high-protein enteral formula. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, controlled, single-blind trial in two University Hospital Intensive Care Units in Spain. METHODS: We enrolled 50 patients with diabetes mellitus or stress hyperglycemia with basal glycemia > or =160 mg/dl and indication for enteral nutrition > or =5 days. Patients with severe kidney failure, liver failure or obesity were excluded from the study. In the first 48 h of admission, after randomization, 26 patients received the study diet and 24 patients received the control diet. The variables were monitored for 14 days. The Harris-Benedict formula with a fixed stress factor of 1.2 was used to calculate caloric needs. Insulin was administered by continuous infusion. An intention-to-treat analysis was performed. RESULTS: On admission, there were no differences between the study and control group in plasma glucose levels (mg/dl) (190.9+/-45 vs 210.3+/-63) and capillary glucose levels (mg/dl) (226.1+/-73 vs 213.8+/-67). After the feeding trial, there were differences between the study and control group in plasma glucose levels (mg/dl) (176.8+/-44 vs 222.8+/-47, P=0.001), capillary glucose levels (mg/dl) (163.1+/-45 vs 216.4+/-56, P=0.001), insulin requirements/day (IU) 8.73 (2.3-27.5) vs 30.2 (21.5-57.1) (P=0.001), insulin/received carbohydrates (UI/g) 0.07 (0.02-0.22) vs 0.18 (0.11-0.35) (P=0.02) and insulin/received carbohydrates/kg 0.98 (0.26-3.59) vs 2.13 (1.44-4.58) (P=0.04). These differences remain in a day-to-day comparison. There were no differences in the analytical tests, or in digestive or infectious complications. Intensive Care Unit length of stay, mechanical ventilation and mortality were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperglycemic critically ill patients fed with a high-protein diet with a similar caloric percentage of fat and carbohydrates show a significant reduction in plasma glucose levels, capillary glucose levels and insulin requirements in comparison to patients on a conventional high-protein diet. This better glycemic control do not modify Intensive Care Unit length of stay, infectious complications, mechanical ventilation and mortality.     

Appetite during consumption of enteral formula as a sole source of nutrition: the effect of supplementing pea-fibre and fructo-oligosaccharides

Liquid enteral formulas are commonly used as a sole source of nutritional support of patients in hospital and community settings. Their effect on appetite has important consequences for dietary management of such patients and is likely to be affected by the formula composition. The aim of the present study was to compare appetite within healthy subjects consuming both a standard formula and one supplemented with pea-fibre (10 g/l) and fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS; 5 g/l) as a sole source of nutrition. Eleven healthy subjects consumed a standard formula or a pea-fibre/FOS formula as a sole source of nutrition for 14 d in a double-blind, cross-over trial. Appetite was recorded using standard 100 mm lines anchored at each end by a phrase denoting the most extreme appetite sensation. Consumption of the pea-fibre/FOS formula resulted in higher mean fullness (46 v. 37 mm, P=0.035), minimum fullness (13 v. 9 mm, P=0.024) and minimum satiety (12 v. 8 mm, P=0.012) compared to the standard formula. As there were no differences in macronutrient intake between formulas, these differences are likely to be due to supplementation with pea-fibre and FOS. The effect on appetite of the composition of an enteral formula, both with respect to nutrient content and functional components such as pea-fibre and FOS, may be an important aspect to consider in the dietary management of patients consuming enteral formula as a sole source of nutrition.     

Low-fat, high-carbohydrate and high-fat, low-carbohydrate diets decrease primary bile acid synthesis in humans

BACKGROUND: Dietary fat content influences bile salt metabolism, but quantitative data from controlled studies in humans are scarce. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to establish the effect of dietary fat content on the metabolism of primary bile salts. DESIGN: The effects of eucaloric extremely low-fat (0%), intermediate-fat (41%; control diet), and extremely high-fat (83%) diets on kinetic values of cholate and chenodeoxycholate metabolism were determined after 11 d by using stable isotope dilution in 6 healthy men. All diets contained identical amounts of cholesterol. RESULTS: The total primary bile salt pool size was not significantly affected by dietary fat content, although the chenodeoxycholate pool was significantly higher during the low-fat diet. Fractional turnover rates of both primary bile salts were 30-50% lower during the low- and high-fat diets than during the control diet. Total hepatic bile salt synthesis was approximately 30% lower during both the high- and low-fat diets, but synthesis rates of the 2 primary bile salts were differentially affected. The molar ratio of cholate to total bile salt synthesis increased from 0.50 +/- 0.05 ( +/- SD) to 0.59 +/- 0.05 and 0.66 +/- 0.04 with increasing fat intake, whereas the molar ratio of chenodeoxycholate to total bile salt synthesis decreased from 0.50 +/- 0.05 to 0.41 +/- 0.05 and 0.34 +/- 0.04. The relative concentration of deoxycholate in plasma increased during the low-fat period, which indicated increased absorption from the colon. CONCLUSIONS: Both low- and high-fat diets reduce the synthesis and turnover rates of primary bile salts in humans, although probably through different mechanisms, and consequently they affect the removal of cholesterol from the body.     

Effects of low-carbohydrate,high-fat diets on apparent digestibility of minerals and trace elements in rats

ObjectiveKetogenic low-carbohydrate, high-fat (LCHF) diets reduce growth and bone mineral density in children with epilepsy and in rats. Part of this effect might be due to a reduced availability of calcium in high-fat diets. The aim of this study was to determine mineral digestibility by total collection method in LCHF diets compared with a chow diet and a standard high-fat diet (HFD, high in fat and carbohydrates).MethodsTwelve-wk-old male Wistar rats were pair-fed isoenergetic amounts of either six different LCHF diets based on tallow and casein (crude fat 75%–50%, crude protein 10%–35%), with chow or with a HFD diet. Mineral-to-energy ratio was matched in all diets. Circulating parathyroid hormone was measured by immunoassay.ResultsThe apparent digestibility of calcium was reduced in all HFDs (high-fat diets, LCHF diets and the HFD diet) by at least 30% compared with the chow diet (P < 0.001). Fecal calcium excretion correlated positively with fecal fat excretion, presumably because of formation of calcium soaps. Apparent digestibility of phosphorous was higher in all HFDs. This resulted in a decrease of the ratio of apparently digested calcium to apparently digested phosphorous in all HFDs below a ratio of 1:1. Plasma parathyroid hormone was not affected by any diet.ConclusionThe alteration of apparent calcium and phosphorus digestibility may affect the impact of HFDs on bone metabolism.     

肿瘤患者术后用特殊配方与标准配方肠内营养二周的效果比较

目的 观察五官科肿瘤病人作喉切术使用肿瘤特异性免疫营养配方肠内营养对患营养、免疫的调理作用。方法 本研究是一个随机、前瞻、控制、双盲的临床研究。40例手术的五官科肿瘤病人随机分为两组：（1）免疫营养组（Supportan n=20)，（2）标准营养组（n=20)，两组使用等热量的肠内营养管饲，均为连续性鼻胃途径泵辅助喂养。手术当天、术后第1天及喂饲结束当天进行体格检查、询问营养史、人体测量、抽取静脉血作实验室分析检测包括TNFα、IgA及血糖等指标。统计学方法：方差分析，对数转化或mann-Whitney U-检验。结果 手术导致大部分的指标参数发生显变化，且两组的变化接近。本研究中Suportan显示了良好的胃肠道耐受性，并显示出营养和免疫的调理作用。     

Effects of a low-FODMAP enteral formula on diarrhea on patients in the intensive care unit

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESA dietary restriction on the intake of fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs) has been reported to be effective in the treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) tract complications. Enteral nutrition (EN) is widely used for patients who cannot obtain their nutritional requirements orally, but many studies have reported EN complications, especially diarrhea, in up to 50% of patients.SUBJECTS/METHODSWe performed a single-center, non-randomized, controlled trial to determine the effects of a low-FODMAP enteral formula on GI complications in patients in intensive care units (ICUs). Patients in the ICU who needed EN (n = 66) were alternately assigned to the low-FODMAP group (n = 33) or the high-FODMAP group (n = 33).RESULTSAnthropometric and biochemical parameters were measured, and stool assessment was performed using King''s Stool Chart. We excluded patients who received laxatives, GI motility agents, proton pump inhibitors, antifungal agents, and antibiotics other than β-lactams. There were no differences in GI symptoms during 7 days of intervention, including bowel sound, abdominal distension, and vomiting between the 2 groups. However, diarrhea was more frequent in the high-FODMAP group (7/33 patients) than the low-FODMAP group (1/33 patients) (P = 0.044).CONCLUSIONSOur results suggest that a low-FODMAP enteral formula may be a practical therapeutic approach for patients who exhibit enteral formula complications. Our study warrants further randomized clinical trials and multicenter trials.Trial RegistrationClinical Research Information Service Identifier: KCT0005660     

Consumption of a low-carbohydrate and high-fat diet (the ketogenic diet) exaggerates biotin deficiency in mice

ObjectiveBiotin is a water-soluble vitamin that acts as a cofactor for several carboxylases. The ketogenic diet, a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet, is used to treat drug-resistant epilepsy and promote weight loss. In Japan, the infant version of the ketogenic diet is known as the “ketone formula.” However, as the special infant formulas used in Japan, including the ketone formula, do not contain sufficient amounts of biotin, biotin deficiency can develop in infants who consume the ketone formula. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the ketogenic diet on biotin status in mice.MethodsMale mice (N = 32) were divided into the following groups: control diet group, biotin-deficient (BD) diet group, ketogenic control diet group, and ketogenic biotin-deficient (KBD) diet group. Eight mice were used in each group.ResultsAt 9 wk, the typical symptoms of biotin deficiency such as hair loss and dermatitis had only developed in the KBD diet group. The total protein expression level of biotin-dependent carboxylases and the total tissue biotin content were significantly decreased in the KBD and BD diet groups. However, these changes were more severe in the KBD diet group.ConclusionThese findings demonstrated that the ketogenic diet increases biotin bioavailability and consumption, and hence, promotes energy production by gluconeogenesis and branched-chain amino acid metabolism, which results in exaggerated biotin deficiency in biotin-deficient mice. Therefore, biotin supplementation is important for mice that consume the ketogenic diet. It is suggested that individuals that consume the ketogenic diet have an increased biotin requirement.     

Comparison of tolerance and nutritional outcome between a peptide and a standard enteral formula in critically ill, hypoalbuminemic patients.

Dipeptides have been reported to be more efficiently absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract than free amino acids. The objective of this study was to compare prospectively a peptide enteral formula (PEF) with a standard enteral formula (SEF) for tolerance and nutritional outcome in acutely injured, hypoalbuminemic (less than 3.0 g/dL) patients who require enteral nutrition support. The prevalence of diarrhea and elevated gastric residuals was assessed daily. Prealbumin, transferrin, colloid oncotic pressure, Prognostic Nutritional Index, and nitrogen balance were measured on days 0, 5, and 10 of enteral nutrition support. Forty-one patients received 345 days of enteral nutrition support. Prevalences of diarrhea and elevated gastric residuals were similar between groups. Prealbumin increased and the Prognostic Nutritional Index decreased significantly from baseline at day 10 in both groups. Transferrin increased in both groups, but not significantly. Colloid oncotic pressure increased significantly from baseline at days 5 and 10 in the SEF group and day 10 in the PEF group. Nitrogen balance increased significantly from baseline at days 5 and 10 in each group. The only significant difference between groups was for nitrogen balance at day 10, which was higher in the SEF group. We conclude based upon our selected measurements of tolerance and nutritional outcome PEF seems to offer no advantage over SEF in acutely injured, hypoalbuminemic patients.     

Hepatic de novo lipogenesis in normoinsulinemic and hyperinsulinemic subjects consuming high-fat,low-carbohydrate and low-fat,high-carbohydrate isoenergetic diets

BACKGROUND: Hypertriglyceridemia is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Until recently, the importance of hepatic de novo lipogenesis (DNL) in contributing to hypertriglyceridemia was difficult to assess because of methodologic limitations. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the extent of the contribution by DNL to different conditions associated with hypertriglyceridemia. DESIGN: After 5 d of an isoenergetic high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet, fasting DNL was measured in normoinsulinemic (or= 115 pmol/L) obese (n = 8) subjects. Fasting DNL was measured after a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet in normoinsulinemic lean (n = 5) and hyperinsulinemic obese (n = 5) subjects. Mass isotopomer distribution analysis was used to measure the fraction of newly synthesized fatty acids in VLDL-triacylglycerol. RESULTS: With the high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet, hyperinsulinemic obese subjects had a 3.7-5.3-fold higher fractional DNL (8.5 +/- 0.7%) than did normoinsulinemic lean (1.6 +/- 0.5%) or obese (2.3 +/- 0.3%) subjects. With the low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet, normoinsulinemic lean and hyperinsulinemic obese subjects had similarly high fractional DNL (13 +/- 5.1% and 12.8 +/- 1.4%, respectively). Compared with baseline, consumption of the high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet did not affect triacylglycerol concentrations. However, after the low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet, triacylglycerols increased significantly and DNL was 5-6-fold higher than in normoinsulinemic subjects consuming a high-fat diet. The increase in triacylglycerol after the low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet was correlated with fractional DNL (P < 0.01), indicating that subjects with high DNL had the greatest increase in triacylglycerols. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the concept that both hyperinsulinemia and a low-fat diet increase DNL, and that DNL contributes to hypertriglyceridemia.     

慢性阻塞性肺病并发呼吸衰竭病人早期肠内营养支持的临床研究

目的:观察慢性阻塞性肺病(COPD)并发呼吸衰竭病人EEN支持的疗效.方法:63例COPD并发呼吸衰竭病人在开始机械通气时,随机分为EEN组32例和延迟EN(DEN)组31例,比较两组病人营养支持2周后的各项生化指标、机械通气时间、并发症和病死率等.结果:治疗2周后,EEN组病人血清总蛋白、ALB、PA和Hb水平无明显下降(P>0.05),但DEN组上述指标较治疗前明显下降,差异有显著性意义(P<0.05).EEN组与DEN组相比,机械通气时间明显缩短,腹胀、腹泻、消化道出血、二重感染、肝功能损害、高血糖等发生率明显降低,病死率亦有所降低,差异有显著性意义(P<0.05).结论:COPD并发呼吸衰竭病人行EEN支持治疗,能改善病人的营养状况,减少并发症,缩短机械通气时间和降低最终病死率,是较好的营养支持方式.     

早期肠内营养对胰十二指肠切除术后病人预后影响的Meta分析

目的:系统评价早期肠内营养(EEN)和肠外营养(PN)对胰十二指肠切除术后病人预后的影响.方法:选取CNKI、万方、维普、PubMed、EMBASE、Cochrane Library等数据库,检索1995年1月至2014年4月有关EEN和PN对胰十二指肠切除术后病人预后影响的随机对照试验(RCT).根据纳入和剔除标准,筛选出符合标准的文献,并进行质量评价.提取相关数据后采用Revman 5.1.0软件进行Meta分析. 结果:共有14项RCT纳入本次研究.在875例病人中,EEN组454例,PN组421例.经Meta分析结果显示,EEN组病人较PN组术后肠功能恢复时间明显提前,术后住院时间明显缩短,术后总并发症的发生率明显降低,住院费用明显减少.但两组之间胰瘘发生率、胃排空障碍发生率、病死率均无显著性差异(P＞0.05). 结论:胰十二指肠切除术后病人早期应用EN能有效地促进术后肠功能恢复,缩短住院时间,减少术后并发症,降低住院费用.     

高脂肪肠内营养液改善脑卒中病人营养状况和预后

目的:评价高脂肪EN液对脑卒中病人营养状况和预后的影响.方法:将56例脑卒中病人随机分为高脂肪营养液(瑞能)组和标准营养液(Nutrison Fiber)对照组,每组28例.于住院营养支持前,营养支持第1 、10 和21天分别检测两组病人的血糖、Hb、血清ALB、TG、TC、HDL和LDL水平以及美国国立卫生院卒中量表(NIHSS)评分.观察病人EN支持过程中胃肠道不良反应的发生情况.入院30 d时,进行日常生活能力量表(ADL)评定.结果:两组病人EN支持第1天各项指标与营养支持前相比无显著性差异.EN支持第10和21天时,对照组病人各项营养指标除Glu外均有下降;高脂肪营养组病人仅血清ALB水平有一定程度的下降,血脂维持在正常水平.两组病人胃肠道并发症无显著性差异.第21天时,高脂肪营养组病人NIHSS评分改善较对照组更为显著(P<0.01),第30天高脂肪营养组ADL评分明显好于对照组(P <0.01).结论:早期高脂肪EN支持可明显改善重症脑卒中病人的营养状况,改善预后,不会升高血脂.     

The relationship between enteral formula contamination and length of enteral delivery set usage

Twenty-one delivery sets were collected from 21 patients who had received continuous Osmolite feedings over 24 hours. Delivery sets were than taken to the laboratory and hung for an additional 48 hours. In the laboratory, the delivery sets were rinsed with tap water and Osmolite was added every 12 hours. Formula samples were obtained from the delivery sets after they had been used for 24 hours, and every 12 hours during the additional 48 hours in the laboratory. Formula contamination was assessed by determining bacterial counts. Unacceptable contamination was defined as bacterial counts greater than or equal to 10(5) cfu/mL. The mean bacterial count was 2.8 x 10(5) cfu/mL at 24 hours, and all subsequent mean counts increased over time. There were statistically significant differences among the mean log bacterial counts at all time periods (p less than or equal to 0.0005) except between 36 hours and 48 hours (p = 0.019). Of the 21 delivery sets, 23.8% were unacceptably contaminated at 24 hours, and by 48 hours, 42.9% were unacceptable. These findings suggest that if 10(5) cfu/mL is used as a criterion, delivery sets should not be used for more than 24 hours in a hospital, and 24-hour use of delivery sets may even be too long.     

Effect of enteral formula infusion rate, osmolality, and chemical composition upon clinical tolerance and carbohydrate absorption in normal subjects

It is a common clinical practice to initiate enteral hyperalimentation using low flow rates or diluted formula. These adjustments are made in an effort to minimize patient intolerance. Using complex and elemental enteral formulas, we investigated whether various flow rates or osmolalities effected clinical intolerance or carbohydrate malabsorption in 20 healthy volunteers. Our infusion rates ranged between 50 and 150 kcal/hr and the osmolalities ranged between 325 and 690 mOsm/Kg of water. Even at the maximal flow rate and osmolality, our results show that both types of enteral formulas were well tolerated as assessed by the frequency of abdominal pain, bloating, passage of rectal gas and stooling. No carbohydrate malabsorption was detected as measured by breath hydrogen. In well nourished subjects, our findings do not support the common clinical practice of initiating alimentation with low flow rates or diluted formula.     

Use of fibronectin and somatomedin-C as markers of enteral nutrition support in traumatized patients using a modified amino acid formula

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of serum fibronectin and serum somatomedin-C as nutritional markers during enteral nutrition support (ENS) of critically ill, traumatized patients using an enteral product containing high concentrations of branched-chain amino acids. Twelve critically injured patients received a standard enteral formula with 30 g of a 44% branched-chain amino acid supplement added to each liter of formula. Fibronectin concentration, somatomedin-C concentration, and nitrogen balance were measured on study days 1, 4, 7, 14, 21, 28 or until adequate oral intake began. Both fibronectin and somatomedin-C concentrations increased significantly from baseline by day 7 of ENS. Nitrogen balance increased significantly from baseline by day 4. On days 14 and 21, only somatomedin-C and nitrogen balance increased significantly from baseline. Nitrogen balance was significantly correlated with somatomedin-C concentration (r = 0.53, p less than 0.01), cumulative caloric intake (r = 0.68, p less than 0.01), and cumulative nitrogen intake (r = 0.72, p less than 0.01). The results of this study suggest that serum somatomedin-C is useful and serum fibronectin has potential in monitoring nutrition support response in critically ill, traumatized patients.     

低糖类肠内营养制剂对高血糖危重症病人的影响

目的:评价低糖类肠内营养制剂对高血糖危重症病人的影响.方法:将52例病人随机分成研究组和对照组,分别给予相同热量和氮量的肠内营养支持.研究组用康全达,对照组用能全力.观察治疗前后血糖、血浆清蛋白、血红蛋白、血脂、二氧化碳分压和氧分压的变化.结果:研究组病人空腹血糖水平变化小,无需加用胰岛素;对照组病人空腹血糖明显升高,需加用胰岛素治疗.研究组治疗后与对照组比较,血气分析指标变化差异有显著性意义(P＜0.05).两组病人肠内营养支持后的清蛋白和血红蛋白水平明显升高,而血脂变化差异无显著性意义.结论:低糖类肠内营养制剂对控制危重症病人的高血糖、改善呼吸功能和营养状况有一定的作用.     

Adiponectin/leptin ratio increases after a 12-week very low-carbohydrate,high-fat diet,and exercise training in healthy individuals: A non-randomized,parallel design study

This study aimed to investigate the effect of a 12-week very low-carbohydrate, high-fat (VLCHF) diet and exercise on biomarkers of inflammation in healthy individuals. Since the anti-inflammatory effects of a ketogenic diet have been established, we hypothesized that the VLCHF diet, along with exercise, would have an additional favorable effect on biomarkers of inflammation. Twenty-four healthy individuals were allocated to the VLCHF diet (VLCHF: N = 12, age 25.3 ± 2.0 years, body mass 66.7 ± 9.8 kg, fat mass 21.5% ± 4.9%), or habitual diet (HD: N = 12, age 23.9 ± 3.8 years, body mass 72.7 ± 15.0 kg, fat mass 23.4 ± 8.4 %) group. Biomarkers of inflammation (adiponectin, leptin, and high-sensitive interleukin-6 [hs-IL-6]) and substrate metabolism (glycated hemoglobin, fasting glucose, triacylglycerides, and cholesterol) were analyzed from blood at baseline and after 12 weeks. The adiponectin-leptin ratio significantly increased in the VLCHF group after the intervention period (ES [95% CL]: −0.90 [−0.96, −0.77], P ≤ .001, BF₁₀ = 22.15). The adiponectin-leptin ratio changes were associated with both a significant increase in adiponectin (−0.79 [−0.91, −0.54], P ≤ .001, BF₁₀ = 9.43) and a significant decrease in leptin (0.58 [0.19, 0.81], P = .014, BF₁₀ = 2.70). There was moderate evidence of changes in total cholesterol (−1.15 [−2.01, −0.27], P = .010, BF₁₀ = 5.20), and LDL cholesterol (−1.12 [−2.01, −0.21], P = .016, BF₁₀ = 4.56) in the VLCHF group. Body weight (kg) and fat mass (%) decreased in the VLCHF group by 5.4% and 14.9%, respectively. We found that in healthy young individuals, consuming a VLCHF diet while performing regular exercise over a 12-week period produced favorable changes in body weight and fat mass along with beneficial changes in serum adiponectin and leptin concentrations. These data support the use of a VLCHF diet strategy for the primary prevention of chronic diseases associated with systemic low-grade inflammation.     

Effects of long-term continuous use of immune-enhancing enteral formula on nutritional and immunologic status in non-surgical patients

OBJECTIVE: Although the perioperative use of immune-enhancing enteral formula (IEEF) effectively reduces the rate of infectious complications, whether chronic use of IEEF is beneficial is unknown. A prospective randomized clinical trial was performed to examine the safety and effectiveness of long-term IEEF on nutritional and immunologic status in non-surgical patients receiving total enteral nutrition through the gastrostomy access route. METHODS: A total of 30 patients were randomly assigned to two groups in which they received total enteral nutrition, an IEEF (n = 15) or a regular polymeric enteral formula (control group; n = 15) for 12 wk. Nutritional and immunologic variables were periodically examined. RESULTS: Serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-I increased significantly for the IEEF group throughout the study. Although serum concentrations of dihomo-gamma-linoleic acid decreased significantly in the IEEF group, serum concentrations of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid increased significantly, as did concentrations of serum arginine and ornithine. The CD4/CD8 ratio and natural killer cell activity also increased for the IEEF group, but the differences were not significant. The B-cell fraction increased and the T-cell fraction of peripheral lymphocytes decreased for the IEEF group. Neither infectious nor non-infectious complications occurred during the study period in either group, except for a significant increase in serum urea nitrogen and uric acid concentrations for the IEEF group. CONCLUSION: Long-term use of IEEF is safe in non-surgical patients and results in a significant increase in serum insulin-like growth factor-I concentrations in association with increased humoral immunity.