Effect of a parenteral fish-oil-containing lipid emulsion on liver lipid perioxidation and antioxidative defenses in Lewis rats.

BACKGROUND: Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), naturally abundant in fish oil (FO), are known for their anti-inflammatory and potential antioxidant properties. The aim in this article is to evaluate the effect of the infusion of a parenteral FO-containing lipid emulsion on markers of liver lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in rats undergoing central venous catheterization (CVC). METHODS: After 5-day acclimatization, adult Lewis rats (n = 42) receiving a 20-g/day AIN-93M oral diet were randomly subdivided into four groups: (1) basal control (BC) (n = 6), without CVC or LE infusion; (2) SHAM (n = 12), with CVC but without LE infusion; (3) soybean oil (SO)/medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) (n = 12), with CVC and receiving LE without FO (4.3 g/kg fat); and (4) SO/MCT/FO (n = 12), with CVC and receiving LE containing 10% FO (4.3 g/kg fat). Animals from the BC group were euthanized immediately after acclimatization. The remaining groups of animals were euthanized after 48 or 72 h of surgical follow-up to assess profiles of liver and plasma fatty acids by gas chromatography, liver gene transcription factor Nrf2, F2-isoprostane lipid peroxidation biomarker, and the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. R program (version 3.2.2) was utilized for data analysis. RESULTS: Compared with the other groups, liver EPA and DHA levels were higher in the SO/MCT/FO group, which also showed the highest liver Nrf2, GPx, SOD, and CAT levels and lower liver F2-isoprostane (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Experimental delivery of FO via EPA and DHA sources in a parenteral LE was associated with a liver antioxidant effect.

Quality control of enteral nutrition therapy in cancer patients at nutritional risk.

INTRODUCTION: Quality indicators in nutritional therapy (QINTs) allow for the practical assessment of quality in the management of enteral nutrition therapy (ENT) among hospitalized patients. OBJECTIVE: To control ENT quality in cancer patients at nutritional risk. METHODS: A prospective, observational study was performed with cancer patients over 19 years of age who had undergone exclusive ENT for at least 72 h. Nutritional Risk Screening was used to assess nutritional risk; in the presence of nutritional risk, the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) was used. Six QINTs were applied. RESULTS: Our study included 211 patients (mean age: 59 ± 10 years, 67.3% men). Most common cancer diagnoses were head and neck (68.2%) and gastrointestinal (18%). Nutritional risk was identified in 93.3% (n = 197) of patients; SGA identified malnutrition in 84.2% of patients (n = 166). ENT was used for 9.7 ± 7 days, presenting a daily deficit of -243.1 ± 141 ml of dietary volume, -363.3 ± 214.1 kcal, and -14.2 ± 8.41 g of protein. Three of the six QINTs were in accordance with the proposed goal: frequency of SGA application, calculations of nutritional needs, and frequency of diarrhea. Three of the six QINTs were in disagreement with the proposed goal: ENT infused volume exceeding 70% of prescribed volume, frequency of digestive fasting exceeding 24 h, and frequency of constipation. Prescriptions for anticholinergic drugs (p = 0.023) and diuretics (p = 0.007) were associated with diarrhea. CONCLUSION: Nutritional risk and malnutrition are frequent among ENT cancer patients. Quality control in ENT was moderately impaired by episodes of fasting and intestinal motility disorders.

Quality indicators for enteral and parenteral nutrition therapy: application in critically ill patients "at nutritional risk".

INTRODUCTION: Quality Indicators for Nutritional Therapy (QINT) allow a practical assessment of nutritional therapy (NT) quality. OBJECTIVE: To apply and monitor QINT for critically ill patients at nutritional risk. METHODS: Cross sectional study including critically ill patients > 18 years old, at nutritional risk, on exclusive enteral (ENT) or parenteral nutritional therapy (PNT) for > 72 hours. After three consecutive years, 9 QINT were applied and monitored. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS version 17.0. RESULTS: A total of 145 patients were included, 93 patients were receiving ENT, among then 65% were male and the mean age was 55.7 years (± 17.4); 52 patients were receiving PNT, 67% were male and the mean age was 58.1 years (± 17.4). All patients (ENT and PNT) were nutritionally screened at admission and their energy and protein needs were individually estimated. Only ENT was early initiated, more than 70% of the prescribed ENT volume was infused and there was a reduced withdrawal of enteral feeding tube. The frequency of diarrhea episodes and digestive fasting were not adequate in ENT patients. The proper supply of energy was contemplated only for PNT patients and there was an expressive rate of oral intake recovery in ENT patients. CONCLUSION: After three years of research, the percentage of QINT adequacy varied between 55%-77% for ENT and 60%-80% for PNT. The results were only made possible by the efforts of a multidisciplinary team and the continuous re-evaluation of the procedures in order to maintain the nutritional assistance for patients at nutritional risk.

Adequacy of energy and protein balance of enteral nutrition in intensive care: what are the limiting factors?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the factors that influence the adequacy of enteral nutritional therapy in an intensive care unit. METHODS: This prospective observational study was conducted in an intensive care unit between 2010 and 2012. Patients >18 years of age underwent exclusive enteral nutritional therapy for ≥72 hours. The energy and protein requirements were calculated according to the ICU protocols. The data regarding enteral nutrition, the causes of non-compliance, and the biochemical test results were collected daily. RESULTS: Ninety-three patients admitted to the intensive care unit were evaluated. Among these patients, 82% underwent early enteral nutritional therapy, and 80% reached the nutritional goal in <36 hours. In addition, 81.6%±15.4% of the enteral nutrition volume was infused, with an adequacy of 82.2%±16.0% for calories, 82.2%±15.9% for proteins, and a mean energy balance of -289.9±277.1 kcal/day. A negative correlation of C-reactive protein with the volume infused and the energy and protein balance was observed. In contrast, a positive correlation was found between C-reactive protein and the time required to reach nutritional goals. Extubation was the main cause for interrupting the enteral nutritional therapy (29.9% of the interruption hours), and the patients >60 years of age exhibited a lower percentage of recovery of the oral route compared with the younger patients (p=0.014). CONCLUSION: Early enteral nutritional therapy and the adequacy for both energy and protein of the nutritional volume infused were in accordance with the established guidelines. Possible inadequacies of energy and protein balance appeared to be associated with an acute inflammatory response, which was characterized by elevated C-reactive protein levels. The main cause of interruption of the enteral nutritional therapy was the time spent in extubation.

Adequação dos balanços energético e proteico na nutrição por via enteral em terapia intensiva: quais são os fatores limitantes? / Adequacy of energy and protein balance of enteral nutrition in intensive care: what are the limiting factors?

Objetivo: Determinar os fatores que influenciam na adequação da terapia nutricional enteral em uma unidade de terapia intensiva. Métodos: Estudo prospectivo e observacional realizado em uma unidade de terapia intensiva entre 2010 e 2012. Foram incluídos pacientes >18 anos em terapia nutricional enteral exclusiva por ≥72 horas. As necessidades de energia e proteínas foram calculadas segundo protocolo da unidade. Foram coletados diariamente dados relacionados à nutrição enteral, causas de não conformidade e exames bioquímicos. Resultados: Dentre os pacientes internados na unidade, 93 foram avaliados, 82% iniciaram a terapia nutricional enteral precocemente e 80% atingiram a meta nutricional em <36 horas. Foram administrados 81,6% (±15,4) de volume de terapia nutricional enteral, com adequação de 82,2% (±16,0) de calorias, 82,2% (±15,9) de proteínas e balanço energético médio de -289,9 kcal/dia (±277,1). Houve correlação negativa da proteína C-reativa com o volume administrado e os balanços energético e proteico, e correlação positiva com o tempo para atingir a meta nutricional. A pausa para extubação foi a principal causa de interrupções (29,9% das horas de pausa) e os pacientes >60 anos apresentaram menor porcentagem de recuperação da via oral em relação aos mais jovens (p=0,014). Conclusão: O início precoce da terapia nutricional enteral, e a adequação do volume administrado, de energia e de proteínas estiveram de acordo com as diretrizes. A inadequação dos balanços energético e proteico parece estar associada à resposta inflamatória aguda (proteína C-reativa elevada). A principal causa de interrupção da oferta da terapia nutricional foi a pausa para extubação. .

Objective: To determine the factors that influence the adequacy of enteral nutritional therapy in an intensive care unit. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in an intensive care unit between 2010 and 2012. Patients >18 years of age underwent exclusive enteral nutritional therapy for ≥72 hours. The energy and protein requirements were calculated according to the ICU protocols. The data regarding enteral nutrition, the causes of non-compliance, and the biochemical test results were collected daily. Results: Ninety-three patients admitted to the intensive care unit were evaluated. Among these patients, 82% underwent early enteral nutritional therapy, and 80% reached the nutritional goal in <36 hours. In addition, 81.6%±15.4% of the enteral nutrition volume was infused, with an adequacy of 82.2%±16.0% for calories, 82.2%±15.9% for proteins, and a mean energy balance of -289.9±277.1kcal/day. A negative correlation of C-reactive protein with the volume infused and the energy and protein balance was observed. In contrast, a positive correlation was found between C-reactive protein and the time required to reach nutritional goals. Extubation was the main cause for interrupting the enteral nutritional therapy (29.9% of the interruption hours), and the patients >60 years of age exhibited a lower percentage of recovery of the oral route compared with the younger patients (p=0.014). Conclusion: Early enteral nutritional therapy and the adequacy for both energy and protein of the nutritional volume infused were in accordance with the established guidelines. Possible inadequacies of energy and protein balance appeared to be associated with an acute inflammatory response, which was characterized by elevated C-reactive protein levels. The main cause of interruption of the enteral nutritional therapy was the time spent in extubation. .