[Improving the nutritional care of oncology patients - Validation of a multidisciplinary protocol in the Spanish clinical setting]. / Mejorando la atención nutricional del paciente oncológico: validación de un protocolo multidisciplinar en el entorno clínico español.

INTRODUCTION: malnutrition is a very frequent problem in oncology patients and can have serious repercussions. Adequate nutritional management is cost-effective in terms of health and survival in this population, but it requires multidisciplinary coordination, specific training, and continuous follow-up. OBJECTIVE: to validate the applicability and efficacy of a multidisciplinary nutritional support protocol in oncology patients. METHODS: a multidisciplinary nutritional protocol was developed for oncology patients, with guidelines for screening and assessment of malnutrition, treatment, re-evaluation, and management of side effects, as well as guidance on supplementation and eating patterns. The protocol would be implemented in various clinical centers, collecting data through a structured questionnaire, registering variables before and after implementation. RESULTS: the protocol and its impact were implemented and evaluated in 39 centers. An improvement in nutritional care was observed, evidenced by an earlier initiation of nutritional assessment and an increase in the number of patients receiving adequate care following the protocol implementation. Problems related to inadequate malnutrition coding in the centers, limited resources, and the need for greater interdepartmental collaboration were identified. CONCLUSIONS: the conduct of this study provides insights into how the implementation of a multidisciplinary nutritional support protocol can improve the nutritional care received by patients and informs about the main obstacles to adequate implementation.

Gut microbiota dynamics and association with chronic kidney disease: A longitudinal study within the PREDIMED-Plus trial.

AIMS: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) represents a global health concern, disproportionately affecting the elderly with heightened cardiovascular risk. The emerging focus on the gut microbiota's role in CKD pathophysiology represents a pivotal area in nephrology; however, the evidence on this topic is limited. This observational prospective study, in the framework of the PREDIMED-Plus trial, investigates associations between gut microbiota composition and the 1-year trajectory of CKD in 343 participants aged 55-75 years with high cardiovascular risk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Kidney function was assessed at baseline and at 1-year of follow-up through the estimated glomerular filtration rate based on cystatin C (eGFR-CysC) and CKD defined by eGFR-CysC <60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Participants were grouped based on their 1-year CKD trajectory: Group 1 maintained normal status or improved from CKD to normal, while Group 2 maintained CKD or worsened from normal to CKD. Fecal microbiota composition was assessed through 16S sequencing. KEY FINDINGS: We observed differences in gut microbiota composition between CKD trajectory groups. Notably, the baseline relative abundance of Lachnoclostridium and Lachnospira, both butyrate-producing genera, was lower in participants maintaining or progressing to CKD. Longitudinally, a decrease in Lachnospira abundance was associated with CKD progression. The improved Chao1 index after 1-year follow-up suggests a link between enhanced microbial richness and stable/better kidney function. SIGNIFICANCE: The findings underscore the potential of gut microbiota analysis in non-invasively monitoring CKD, especially in older populations, and hint at future interventions targeting gut microbiota to manage CKD progression. Further research is needed for causal relationships and generalizability.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with morbid obesity: the gut microbiota axis as a potential pathophysiology mechanism.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Alterations in gut microbiota are associated with the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases, including metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). The aim of this study was to evaluate gut microbiota composition and functionality in patients with morbid obesity with different degrees of MAFLD, as assessed by biopsy. SUBJECTS/METHODS: 110 patients with morbid obesity were evaluated by biopsy obtained during bariatric surgery for MAFLD. Stool samples were collected prior to surgery for microbiota analysis. RESULTS: Gut microbiota from patients with steatosis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) were characterized by an enrichment in Enterobacteriaceae (an ethanol-producing bacteria), Acidaminococcus and Megasphaera and the depletion of Eggerthellaceae and Ruminococcaceae (SCFA-producing bacteria). MAFLD was also associated with enrichment of pathways related to proteinogenic amino acid degradation, succinate production, menaquinol-7 (K2-vitamin) biosynthesis, and saccharolytic and proteolytic fermentation. Basic histological hepatic alterations (steatosis, necroinflammatory activity, or fibrosis) were associated with specific changes in microbiota patterns. Overall, the core microbiome related to basic histological alterations in MAFLD showed an increase in Enterobacteriaceae and a decrease in Ruminococcaceae. Specifically, Escherichia coli was associated with steatosis and necroinflammatory activity, whilst Escherichia-shigella was associated with fibrosis and necroinflammatory activity. CONCLUSIONS: We established a link between gut microbiota alterations and histological injury in liver diagnosis using biopsy. Harmful products such as ethanol or succinate may be involved in the pathogenesis and progression of MAFLD. Thus, these alterations in gut microbiota patterns and their possible metabolic pathways could add information to the classical predictors of MAFLD severity and suggest novel metabolic targets.

Associations between ultra-processed food consumption and kidney function in an older adult population with metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption has increased dramatically over the last decades worldwide. Although it has been linked to some cardiometabolic comorbidities, there is limited evidence regarding kidney function. This study aimed to cross-sectionally and longitudinally assess the association between UPF consumption and estimated-glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) based on Cystatin C (CysC). METHODS: Older adults (mean age 65 ± 5.0 years, 46% women) with overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) who had available data of CysC at baseline (n = 1909), at one-year and at 3-years of follow-up (n = 1700) were analyzed. Food consumption was assessed using a validated 143-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and UPF consumption (% of g/d) at baseline and changes after one-year of follow-up were estimated according to NOVA classification system. Multivariable-adjusted linear and logistic regression models were performed to evaluate the cross-sectional associations between UPF consumption with eGFR levels and decreased kidney function (eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m2) at baseline. Multivariable-adjusted mixed-effects linear regression models were fitted to investigate the associations between one-year changes in UPF and eGFR over 3-years of follow-up. RESULTS: Individuals with the highest baseline UPF consumption showed lower eGFR (ß: -3.39 ml/min/1.73 m2; 95% CI: -5.59 to -1.20) and higher odds of decreased kidney function (OR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.21 to 2.22) at baseline, compared to individuals in the lowest tertile. Participants in the highest tertile of one-year changes in UPF consumption presented a significant decrease in eGFR after one-year of follow-up (ß: -1.45 ml/min/1.73 m2; 95% CI: -2.90 to -0.01) as well as after 3-years of follow-up (ß: -2.18 ml/min/1.73 m2; 95% CI: -3.71 to -0.65) compared to those in the reference category. CONCLUSIONS: In a Mediterranean population of older adults with overweight/obesity and MetS, higher UPF consumption at baseline and one-year changes towards higher consumption of UPF were associated with worse kidney function at baseline and over 3-years of follow-up, respectively. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY NUMBER: ISRCTN89898870.

Rectus Femoris Muscle and Phase Angle as Prognostic Factor for 12-Month Mortality in a Longitudinal Cohort of Patients with Cancer (AnyVida Trial).

BACKGROUND: Cancer-related malnutrition is still unrecognized and undertreated in clinical practice. The morphofunctional assessment of disease-related malnutrition (DRM) is a new approach that focuses on evaluating changes in body composition and function. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prognostic value of classic and emerging assessment of malnutrition at 12-months survival in cancer patients. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study on cancer outpatients. Bioelectrical impedance with phase angle (PhA), nutritional ultrasound by rectus femoris cross-sectional area (RFCSA), hand grip strength, and "Timed Up and Go Test" (TUG) were evaluated as predictors of mortality. RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients were included. The non-survivors had lower PhA values than the survivors (4.7° vs. 5.4°; p < 0.001), and we had the same results with RFCSA 2.98 cm2/m2 vs. 4.27 cm2/m2 (p = 0.03). Cut-off points were identified using the ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curves for PhA (≤5.6° cancer patients, ≤5.9° men, ≤5.3° women), RFCSA (≤4.47 cm2/m2 cancer patients, ≤4.47° men, ≤2.73° women) and rectus femoris-Y-axis (RF-Y-axis; ≤1.3 cm cancer patients, ≤1.06 men, ≤1 women). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, we found that high PhA was significantly associated with a lower mortality hazard ratio (HR: 0.42 95% CI: 0.21-0.84, p = 0.014). Likewise, high RFCSA was associated with a decrease in mortality risk in the crude model (HR: 0.61 95% CI: 0.39-0.96, p = 0.031). This trend was also maintained in the adjusted models by the confounding variables. CONCLUSIONS: Low PhA and RFCSA values are significant independent predictors of mortality in cancer patients. These cut-off points are clinical data that can be used for nutritional assessment and the prediction of clinical outcomes.

Predictive Role of Gut Microbiota in Weight Loss Achievement after Bariatric Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery induces changes in gut microbiota that have been suggested to contribute to weight loss and metabolic improvement. However, whether preoperative gut microbiota composition could predict response to bariatric surgery has not yet been elucidated. STUDY DESIGN: Seventy-six patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy were classified according to the percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) 1 year after surgery in the responder group: >50%EWL (n=50) and the nonresponder group: <50%EWL (n=26). Patients were evaluated before surgery, and 3 months and 1 year after surgery. Gut microbiota composition was analyzed before surgery (n=76) and 3 months after bariatric surgery (n=40). RESULTS: Diversity analysis did not show differences between groups before surgery or 3 months after surgery. Before surgery, there were differences in the abundance of members belonging to Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes phyla (nonresponder group: enriched in Bacteroidaceae, Bacteroides, Bacteroides uniformis, Alistipes finegoldii, Alistipes alistipes, Dorea formicigenerans, and Ruminococcus gnavus. Responder group: enriched in Peptostreptococcaceae, Gemmiger, Gemiger formicilis, Barnesiella, Prevotellaceae, and Prevotella; linear discriminant analysis >2; p < 0.05). Prevotella-to-Bacteroides ratio was significantly lower in the nonresponder group compared to the responder group (p = 0.048). After surgery, the responder group showed an enrichment in taxa that have been shown to have beneficial effects on host metabolism. Before surgery, PICRUSt analysis showed an enrichment in pathways involved in the biosynthesis components of the O-antigen polysaccharideunits in lipopolysaccharides in the nonresponder group. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative gut microbiota could have an impact on bariatric surgery outcomes. Prevotella-to-Bacteroides ratio could be used as a predictive tool for weight loss trajectory. Early after surgery, patients who experienced successful weight loss showed an enrichment in taxa related to beneficial effects on host metabolism.

Effect on an Oral Nutritional Supplement with ß-Hydroxy-ß-methylbutyrate and Vitamin D on Morphofunctional Aspects, Body Composition, and Phase Angle in Malnourished Patients.

This is a retrospective study of data from clinical practice to observe the effect of a high-calorie, high-protein oral nutritional supplement (ONS) with ß-hydroxy-ß-methylbutyrate (HMB) on nutritional status, body weight, and muscle-related parameters in 283 adult patients with or at risk of malnutrition under standard of care, 63% being cancer patients. They were recommended to increase physical activity and energy and protein intake from regular diet plus two servings per day of a specialized ONS enriched with HMB or standard ONS for up to 6 months. Dietary records, adherence and tolerance to ONS, nutritional status, body composition, handgrip strength, and blood analysis at the beginning and the end of the intervention were recorded. This program improved nutritional status from 100% malnourished or at risk of malnutrition at baseline to 80% well-nourished at final visit. It also increased body weight by 3.6-3.8 kg, fat-free mass by 0.9 to 1.3 kg, and handgrip strength by 4.7 to 6.2 kg. In a subgroup of patients (n = 43), phase angle (PhA), and body cell mass (BCM) increased only in the patients receiving the ONS enriched with HMB (0.95 (0.13) vs. -0.36 (0.4), and 2.98 (0.5) vs. -0.6 (1.5) kg, mean difference (SE) from baseline for PhA and BCM, respectively), suggesting the potential efficacy of this supplement on muscle health.

Impact of Genetic Polymorphism on Response to Therapy in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

In the last decades, the global prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has reached pandemic proportions with derived major health and socioeconomic consequences; this tendency is expected to be further aggravated in the coming years. Obesity, insulin resistance/type 2 diabetes mellitus, sedentary lifestyle, increased caloric intake and genetic predisposition constitute the main risk factors associated with the development and progression of the disease. Importantly, the interaction between the inherited genetic background and some unhealthy dietary patterns has been postulated to have an essential role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. Weight loss through lifestyle modifications is considered the cornerstone of the treatment for NAFLD and the inter-individual variability in the response to some dietary approaches may be conditioned by the presence of different single nucleotide polymorphisms. In this review, we summarize the current evidence on the influence of the association between genetic susceptibility and dietary habits in NAFLD pathophysiology, as well as the role of gene polymorphism in the response to lifestyle interventions and the potential interaction between nutritional genomics and other emerging therapies for NAFLD, such as bariatric surgery and several pharmacologic agents.

Gut Microbiota: The Missing Link Between Helicobacter pylori Infection and Metabolic Disorders?

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a gram-negative bacterium that infects approximately 4.4 billion individuals worldwide. Although the majority of infected individuals remain asymptomatic, this bacterium colonizes the gastric mucosa causing the development of various clinical conditions as peptic ulcers, chronic gastritis and gastric adenocarcinomas and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas, but complications are not limited to gastric ones. Extradigestive pathologies, including metabolic disturbances such as diabetes, obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, have also been associated with H. pylori infection. However, the underlying mechanisms connecting H. pylori with extragastric metabolic diseases needs to be clarified. Notably, the latest studies on the topic have confirmed that H. pylori infection modulates gut microbiota in humans. Damage in the gut bacterial community (dysbiosis) has been widely related to metabolic dysregulation by affecting adiposity, host energy balance, carbohydrate metabolism, and hormonal modulation, among others. Taking into account that Type 2 diabetic patients are more prone to be H. pylori positive, gut microbiota emerges as putative key factor responsible for this interaction. In this regard, the therapy of choice for H. pylori eradication, based on proton pump inhibitor combined with two or more antibiotics, also alters gut microbiota composition, but consequences on metabolic health of the patients has been scarcely explored. Recent studies from our group showed that, despite decreasing gut bacterial diversity, conventional H. pylori eradication therapy is related to positive changes in glucose and lipid profiles. The mechanistic insights explaining these effects should also be addressed in future research. This review will deal with the role of gut microbiota as the linking factor between H. pylori infection and metabolic diseases, and discussed the impact that gut bacterial modulation by H. pylori eradication treatment can also have in host's metabolism. For this purpose, new evidence from the latest human studies published in more recent years will be analyzed.

Factors Related to Weight Loss Maintenance in the Medium-Long Term after Bariatric Surgery: A Review.

Despite bariatric surgery being the most effective treatment for obesity, some individuals do not respond adequately, especially in the long term. Identifying the predictors of correct weight maintenance in the medium (from 1 to 3 years after surgery) and long term (from 3 years and above) is of vital importance to reduce failure after bariatric surgery; therefore, we summarize the evidence about certain factors, among which we highlight surgical technique, psychological factors, physical activity, adherence to diet, gastrointestinal hormones or neurological factors related to appetite control. We conducted a search in PubMed focused on the last five years (2015-2021). Main findings are as follows: despite Roux-en-Y gastric bypass being more effective in the long term, sleeve gastrectomy shows a more beneficial effectiveness-complications balance; pre-surgical psychological and behavioral evaluation along with post-surgical treatment improve long-term surgical outcomes; physical activity programs after bariatric surgery, in addition to continuous and comprehensive care interventions regarding diet habits, improve weight loss maintenance, but it is necessary to improve adherence; the impact of bariatric surgery on the gut-brain axis seems to influence weight maintenance. In conclusion, although interesting findings exist, the evidence is contradictory in some places, and long-term clinical trials are necessary to draw more robust conclusions.

Metabolic and Endocrine Consequences of Bariatric Surgery.

Obesity is one of the most serious worldwide epidemics of the twenty-first century according to the World Health Organization. Frequently associated with a number of comorbidities, obesity threatens and compromises individual health and quality of life. Bariatric surgery (BS) has been demonstrated to be an effective treatment to achieve not only sustained weight loss but also significant metabolic improvement that goes beyond mere weight loss. The beneficial effects of BS on metabolic traits are so widely recognized that some authors have proposed BS as metabolic surgery that could be prescribed even for moderate obesity. However, most of the BS procedures imply malabsorption and/or gastric acid reduction which lead to nutrient deficiency and, consequently, further complications could be developed in the long term. In fact, BS not only affects metabolic homeostasis but also has pronounced effects on endocrine systems other than those exclusively involved in metabolic function. The somatotropic, corticotropic, and gonadal axes as well as bone health have also been shown to be affected by the various BS procedures. Accordingly, further consequences and complications of BS in the long term in systems other than metabolic system need to be addressed in large cohorts, taking into account each bariatric procedure before making generalized recommendations for BS. In this review, current data regarding these issues are summarized, paying special attention to the somatotropic, corticotropic, gonadal axes, and bone post-operative health.

New molecular biomarkers in differentiated thyroid carcinoma: Impact of miR-146, miR-221 and miR-222 levels in the evolution of the disease.

OBJECTIVE: MircroRNAs (miR) are small, noncoding RNA molecules of 18-25 nucleotides. Their dysregulation has been widely studied in many human tumours including differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). miRs more frequently associated with these kinds of tumours are miR-146, miR-221 and miR-222. Our objective was to assess the relationship among circulating miR levels and the evolution and outcomes of disease. DESIGN: We analysed a sample of 60 patients with DTC assigning them to one of three groups according to the dynamic scale of risk (excellent response, incomplete biochemical response and incomplete structural response). PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS: At study inclusion, we determined thyroid-stimulating hormone, thyroxine, thyroglobulin, antithyroglobulin antibodies and plasma levels of miR-146, miR-221 and miR-222. RESULTS: Male sex and advanced age at diagnosis were associated with the worst disease progression. miR-222 was twofold to threefold higher in tall cell papillary carcinomas (P = 0.038). miR-146 (P = 0.016) and miR-221 (P = 0.050) had a positive correlation with thyroglobulin at the time of sampling. In regression analysis, miR-146 (P = 0.006), miR-221 (P = 0.004) and miR-222 (P = 0.007) predicted more than 70% of the variation in thyroglobulin levels at the time of sampling. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated miR-222 and miR-146 levels are associated with poorer outcomes of the disease and may have a prognostic value in the management and follow-up of DTC.

Adherence and tolerance as key in brake on weight loss in cancer patients with nutritional risk after intervention with a high calorie nutritional and specific hyperproteic supplement / Adherencia y tolerancia como claves en la detención de la pérdida de peso en pacientes oncológicos sometidos a radioterapia mediante una estrategia de suplementación precoz con una fórmula enteral hipercalórica e hiperproteica específica

Background: In patients with nutritional risk, the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) recommends nutritional supplements during cancer treatment to prevent weight loss. Objectives: Our goal is to determine the acceptability, compliance and tolerance of a hyperproteic, high-calorie, omega-3 enriched supplement in cancer patients. Methods: Unicentric, prospective observational study in cancer patients with hyperproteic, high-calorie, rich in omega 3 and low volume nutritional supplement. Thirty patients with malnutrition or risk of malnutrition were included. Supplementation lasted six days. Compliance (packaging used), acceptability (Madrid scale), anthropometric variables and gastrointestinal adverse events (AEs) were evaluated. Results: Seventy per cent were men, with an average age of 60 years (range 32-79), with lung (43.3%), ENT (26.7%) and breast neoplasms (13.3%), stage III-IV (56.7%), and treated with radiotherapy (93.3%), chemotherapy (60%) and surgery (16.7%). The product was accepted by all patients. A compliance rate of 100% was observed. Gastrointestinal AE (grade II) related to the supplement was observed in two patients (6.7%). Both subjects had previous gastrointestinal diseases. The median weight, body mass index (BMI) and protein intake increased during supplementation (0.2 kg, 0.1 kg/m2 and 6.2 g). No differences were observed regarding calorie, fat and carbohydrates intake. Conclusion: The high acceptance and compliance with the specific nutritional supplement was associated with an improved nutritional status for cancer patients, and reversed the weight loss without severe gastrointestinal problems, or producing intake displacement.

Introducción: en pacientes con riesgo nutricional, la Sociedad Europea de Clínica y Metabolismo (ESPEN) y Parenteral recomienda suplementos nutricionales durante el tratamiento oncológico para prevenir la pérdida de peso involuntaria. Objetivos: nuestro objetivo es conocer el cumplimiento, la aceptabilidad y la tolerancia de un suplemento hiperproteico, hipercalórico, rico en omega 3 en pacientes oncológicos. Métodos: estudio unicéntrico, observacional y prospectivo en pacientes oncológicos con un suplemento nutricional hiperproteico, hipercalórico, rico en omega 3 y de bajo volumen. Fueron incluidos 30 pacientes con desnutrición o en riesgo de desnutrición. La suplementación duró seis días. Se evaluaron el cumplimiento (envases utilizado), la aceptabilidad (escala Madrid), las variables antropométricas y los acontecimientos adversos (AA) gastrointestinales. Resultados: el 70% fueron hombres, con una edad media de 60 años (rango: 32 a 79) y con neoplasias de pulmón (43,3%), ORL (26,7%) y mama (13,3%), en estadio III-IV (56,7%), tratados con radioterapia (93,3%), quimioterapia (60%) y cirugía (16,7%). El producto fue aceptado por todos los pacientes. Se observó un cumplimiento del 100%. En dos pacientes (6,7%) se observaron AA gastrointestinales (grado II) relacionados con el suplemento; ambos sujetos presentaban patologías gastrointestinales previas. La mediana del peso, índice de masa corporal (IMC) y proteínas ingeridas aumentó durante la suplementación (0,2 kg, 0,1 kg/m2 y 6,2 g). No se observaron diferencias respecto a la ingesta de calorías, lípidos y carbohidratos. Conclusión: la elevada aceptación y cumplimiento del suplemento nutricional específico se asoció con la mejora nutricional de los pacientes oncológicos, pues revirtió la pérdida de peso, sin presentar problemas gastrointestinales severos ni producir desplazamiento de la ingesta.

Does Metabolically Healthy Obesity Exist?

The relationship between obesity and other metabolic diseases have been deeply studied. However, there are clinical inconsistencies, exceptions to the paradigm of "more fat means more metabolic disease", and the subjects in this condition are referred to as metabolically healthy obese (MHO).They have long-standing obesity and morbid obesity but can be considered healthy despite their high degree of obesity. We describe the variable definitions of MHO, the underlying mechanisms that can explain the existence of this phenotype caused by greater adipose tissue inflammation or the different capacity for adipose tissue expansion and functionality apart from other unknown mechanisms. We analyze whether these subjects improve after an intervention (traditional lifestyle recommendations or bariatric surgery) or if they stay healthy as the years pass. MHO is common among the obese population and constitutes a unique subset of characteristics that reduce metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors despite the presence of excessive fat mass. The protective factors that grant a healthier profile to individuals with MHO are being elucidated.