Effects of immunonutrition on intestinal mucosal apoptosis, mucosal atrophy, and bacterial translocation in head injured rats.

BACKGROUND: Immunonutrition has been demonstrated to modulate gut function, reduce infectious complications, hospital stay, and ventilator days in the critical patients.AIM OF THE STUDY: We assessed the effect of immunonutrition for the prevention of intestinal mucosal atrophy, apoptosis, and bacterial translocation in head injured rats.METHODS: Thirty five rats were randomised into 5 groups. Following moderate closed head injury, in Group 1; Standard Enteral Nutrition, Group 2; Immunonutrition, Group 3; TPN, Group 4; pe. saline were applied. Group 5 was control group (chow-fed). The rats were sacrificed and segments of the ileum were removed for histologic examination, and samples of tissues taken for microbiologic evaluation.RESULTS: Both intestinal apoptosis and mucosal atrophy were significantly lower in Group 2 and Group 5 (p<0.008). Bacterial translocation was significantly lower in Group 2 than Group 1 (p<0.008).CONCLUSION: The enteral immunonutrition prevents intestinal barrier function in brain injured rats.     

Chitosan delivery systems for the treatment of oral mucositis: in vitro and in vivo studies.

Oral mucositis is a frequent and potentially severe complication of radiation or chemotherapy for cancer. Associated with atrophy and ulceration of the oral mucosa is an increased risk of infection, and the most common pathogenic agent is Candida. Chitosan is an excellent candidate for the treatment of oral mucositis. Its bioadhesive and antimicrobial properties offer the palliative effects of an occlusive dressing and the potential for delivering drugs, including anti-candidal agents. The aim of this study was to develop an occlusive bioadhesive system for prophylaxis and/or treatment of oral mucositis. Gel and film formulations were prepared using chitosans at different molecular weights and in different solvents. Nystatin, which is considered as a prophylactic agent for oral mucositis was incorporated into the formulations. The in vitro release of nystatin from the formulations was decreased with the increasing molecular weight of chitosan. The effect of the formulations was investigated in vivo in hamsters with chemotherapy-induced mucositis. Mucositis scores in groups treated with nystatin incorporated into gel and suspension formulations were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than those treated with the chitosan gel alone. Survival of animals in the treated groups was higher than that in the control group. The retention time and distribution of the gels in the oral cavity were investigated in healthy volunteers. A faster distribution of nystatin in the oral cavity was obtained using the suspension compared to the gels, but the nystatin saliva level decreased rapidly as well. A drug concentration above the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value for Candida albicans (0.14 microg/ml) was maintained for longer periods of time at the application site (90 min) than at the contralateral site (45 min) in the oral cavity.     

Neonatal resuscitation and preventive continuous positive pressure ventilation]

One of the aspects of prematurity in neonates is the respiratory distress syndrome. Although treatment with mechanical ventilation reduced the mortality rate, bronchopulmonary dysplasia still develops in many neonates. We have attempted to reduce intubation and mechanical ventilation by using, in the delivery room, humidified and warmed gas with fractional inspired oxygen as low as possible to obtain SaO2 between 85 and 95%. The gas was administered with a face mask using continuous positive air pressure 3-5 cm H2O. Seventeen out of 66 premature neonates born before the 35th week of gestation were ventilated immediately (n = 11) or subsequently (n = 6). Seven out of 26 infants (27%) born between 30 and 32 weeks required mechanical ventilation. In contrast, ventilation was necessary for eight out of 16 premature neonates born before the 29th week of gestation. Mortality rate was 6% (4/66) in the latter group (< 29 weeks), and only one neonate developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia.     

Neonatal hyperchloremia related to bromide poisoning]

Hyperchloremia may reveal bromism during the neonatal period. The authors report on two cases of neonatal bromism. The first case concerns triplets without clinical signs although the children and their mother displayed hyperchloremia. In the other case a 6 week old infant displayed neurological abnormalities associated with hyperchloremia and elevated plasma bromide levels.