Serum zinc and copper in people with COVID-19 and zinc supplementation in parenteral nutrition.

OBJECTIVES: Zinc and copper are important to protect cells from oxidative stress and to enhance immunity. An association between low zinc levels and the severity of acute respiratory distress syndrome has been shown for people with COVID-19. We aimed to study serum zinc and copper concentrations in people with severe COVID-19 and zinc supplementation in parenteral nutrition (PN). METHODS: Thirty-five people with COVID-19 in need of PN were studied in a retrospective design. Serum samples were collected at three time points: at the start of PN, between 3 and 7 d after, and at the end of PN. RESULTS: Participants were on PN for a mean of 14 d, with a mean (± SD) daily supplemental zinc of 14.8 ± 3.7 mg/d. Serum zinc increased during PN administration from 98.8 ± 22.8 to 114.1 ± 23.3 µg/dL (Wilks' λ = 0.751, F = 5.459, P = 0.009). Conversely, serum copper did not vary from baseline (107.9 ± 34.2 µg/dL) to the end of the study (104.5 ± 37.4 µg/dL, Wilks' λ = 0.919, F = 1.453, P = 0.248). Serum zinc within the first week after starting PN and at the end of PN inversely correlated with total hospital stay (r = -0.413, P = 0.014, and r = -0.386, P = 0.022, respectively). Participants in critical condition presented lower serum copper (z = 2.615, P = 0.007). Mortality was not associated with supplemental zinc or with serum zinc or copper concentrations at any time of the study (P > 0.1 for all analyses). CONCLUSIONS: Serum zinc concentrations during PN support were inversely associated with length of hospital stay but not with mortality. Serum copper concentrations were lower in participants in critical condition but not associated with prognosis.

Serum Bioavailable Vitamin D Concentrations and Bone Mineral Density in Women After Obesity Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Low bone mass after obesity surgery may arise as a consequence of chronic malabsorption of calcium and vitamin D. However, we have not found any role of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D or of polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor gene in previous studies. PURPOSE: To investigate the circulating bioavailable 25-hydroxyvitamin D in women after bariatric procedures and its association with bone mass. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study consisted of 91 women on follow-up for 7 ± 2 years after bariatric surgery. We measured bone mineral density (BMD), serum parathormone (PTH), 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and vitamin D binding protein (VDBP). All patients were genotyped for two variants in the coding region of VDBP (rs4588 and rs7041). Bioavailable 25-hydroxyvitamin D was calculated in double homozygotes. RESULTS: We found a negative correlation between bioavailable 25-hydroxyvitamin D and PTH (r = -0.373, P = 0.018), but not with BMD at lumbar spine (r = -0.065, P = 0.682) or hip (r = -0.029, P = 0.857). When adjusting by age, similar results were found for PTH (r = -0.441, P = 0.005), BMD at lumbar spine (r = -0.026, P = 0.874) and hip (r = -0.096, P = 0.561). After multivariate linear regression, forcing bioavailable 25-hydroxyvitamin D into the model resulted in a weak significant association with BMD at the lumbar spine (ß = - 0.247, P = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: Serum bioavailable 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations are not associated with bone mass loss after bariatric surgery in women. The negative association with serum PTH levels suggests that vitamin D supplementation partly improves secondary hyperparathyroidism, yet other mechanisms may contribute to low bone mass after bariatric surgery.

Perioperative oral nutritional supplements in normally or mildly undernourished geriatric patients submitted to surgery for hip fracture: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Oral nutritional supplements have been recommended after orthopedic surgery in geriatric patients. This has been shown to be effective even in normally nourished or mildly undernourished geriatric patients. Whether perioperative administration of these products is also effective and suitable is not known. METHODS: Randomized, controlled, open, paralleled two-arms clinical trial, comparing energy-protein supplements (40 g of protein and 400 kcal per day), with no intervention in normally nourished or mildly undernourished patients. Outcomes were serum proteins, body mass index, postoperative complications among others. RESULTS: 60 Elderly patients were included. Patients in the intervention group (n = 30) ingested 52.2 ± 12.1% of the prescribed supplements per day for 5.8 ± 1.8 days before surgery and until hospital discharge. There was a significant change in serum albumin at follow-up (F = 22.536, P < 0.001), and between the two groups (F = 5.763, P = 0.002), favouring the intervention. The same was observed for serum prealbumin (F = 6.654, P = 0.001 within subjects, F = 2.865, P = 0.045 for interaction). Logistic regression showed that only supplemented proteins per day (OR[95%CI] = 0.925[0.869-0.985]) were associated with less postoperative complications (R(2) = 0.323, χ(2) = 11.541, P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Perioperative supplements in geriatric patients with hip fracture submitted to surgery showed better recovery of plasma proteins. Higher daily protein intakes were associated with less postoperative complications.

Effects of oral nutritional supplements in normally nourished or mildly undernourished geriatric patients after surgery for hip fracture: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Oral nutritional supplements have been recommended after orthopedic surgery in geriatric patients to reduce postoperative complications. However, tolerability of supplements could be a limitation, and their universal use is not supported by the heterogeneity of previous studies, especially in patients without malnutrition. METHODS: This study is a randomized, controlled, open, parallel, 3-arm clinical trial comparing supplementation with protein powder dissolved in liquids to aim at 36 g of protein per day, energy and protein supplements to aim at 37.6 g of protein and 500 kcal per day, or no intervention in normally nourished or mildly undernourished patients. Outcomes were serum albumin, prealbumin, retinol-binding globulin, and body mass index, among others. Postoperative complications were also recorded. RESULTS: Ninety patients aged 83.8 +/- 6.6 years were included. The mean ingested amount of supplements was 41.1% +/- 20.6% in the protein powder supplement group and 51.4% +/- 13.2% in the energy protein supplement group (t = 2.278, P = .027). Postoperative supplements had no effect on the nutrition status during in-hospital follow-up, as assessed by serum albumin (P = .251), prealbumin (P = .530), retinol-binding globulin (P = .552), or body mass index (P = .582). Multivariate analysis showed that length of hospital stay with an established complication until its resolution (beta = .230, P = .031), total hospital stay (beta = .450, P < .001), baseline body mass index (beta = .204, P = .045), and total daily ingested proteins per body weight (beta = .252, P = .018) were predictive variables on the change in serum albumin (R2 = 0.409, F = 11.246, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Oral nutritional supplements in normally nourished or only mildly undernourished geriatric patients with hip fracture submitted to surgery may be of interest for patients with postoperative complications and long hospital stays.