Clinical usefulness of the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment and modified Glasgow Prognostic Score in decision making concerning the indication of enteral nutritional therapy in patients with incurable cancer receiving palliative care.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify the clinical usefulness of assessing nutritional status using validated tools for the indication of enteral nutrition for patients with incurable cancer in palliative care. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, patients were assessed for nutritional risk using the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment and for cancer cachexia (CC) using the modified Glasgow Prognostic Score upon enrollment and after ∼30 d. The outcome was stable or improved Karnofsky Performance Status. Logistic regression models were used, providing the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: A total of 180 patients participated. The only nutritional status parameter that was associated with function was CC. The less severe the CC, the more likely Karnofsky Performance Status was to remain stable or improve over 30 d (non-cachectic: OR = 1.95; 95% CI, 1.01-3.47; malnourished: OR = 1.06; 95% CI, 1.01-1.42). Furthermore, white skin color (OR = 1.79; 95% CI, 1.04-2.47), higher educational level (OR = 1.39; 95% CI, 1.13-2.78), and inadequate calorie intake (OR = 1.96; 95% CI, 1.02-2.81) were also associated with the outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Using the modified Glasgow Prognostic Score to identify the existence and severity of CC, which is associated with function, has the potential to help clinical decision making concerning the indication of enteral nutrition in patients with incurable cancer receiving palliative care.

Impact of Long-Term Supplementation with Fish Oil in Individuals with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Double Blind Randomized Placebo Controlled Clinical Trial.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic disease affecting up to 25% of the population worldwide. n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) have been associated with improved clinical parameters of NAFLD. Our purpose was to conduct a pilot study to evaluate the effects of n-3 PUFA supplementation in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study performed on NAFLD individuals diagnosed by ultrasound. Patients received n-3 PUFA (n = 13) or placebo (n = 11) supplementation for six months. Circulating miR-122 expression (determined by quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), liver fibrosis (FibroScan®), red blood cells (RBC) fatty acids (gas chromatography), and biochemical tests were performed at baseline and after intervention. After the intervention, in the n-3 PUFA group, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and omega index increased significantly in RBC (p = 0.022 and p = 0.012, respectively), in addition to a significant reduction in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (p = 0.002) and liver fibrosis (p = 0.039). However, there was no change in the expression of circulating miR-122 in both groups. Our results showed that omega-3 PUFA were incorporated in erythrocytes after six months of fish oil supplementary intake, and that n-3 PUFA were effective in reducing ALP and liver fibrosis without altering the expression of circulating miR-122 in individuals with NAFLD.

Vitamin A and retinol-binding protein deficiency among chronic liver disease patients.

OBJECTIVE: Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is associated with the progression of chronic liver disease (CLD). The aim in this study was to assess levels of serum retinol and retinol-binding protein (RBP) as well as liver vitamin A stores in the presence of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: We ascertained the serum retinol and RBP levels of randomly selected CLD patients divided into two groups, one given 1500 UI (n = 89) and the other receiving 2500 UI (n = 89) doses of retinyl palmitate for the relative dose response test. Blood samples were collected in a fasting state and 5 and 7 h after supplementation. RESULTS: The prevalence of VAD was 62.4%. There was a progressive drop in serum retinol (P < 0.001) and RBP (P = 0.002) according to the severity of the liver disease, and a greater prevalence of severe VAD was noted in cirrhosis Child & Pugh C (52.8%). Fifty percent of the patients presented a low availability of RBP relative to retinol concentration, and there was no peak in RBP levels regardless of the dose of retinyl palmitate administered. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest serum retinol and RBP are relevant as indicators of vitamin A nutritional status in the presence of CLD. Liver vitamin A store cannot be evaluated using the RDR test because CLD causes a reduction in RBP synthesis and interferes with the mobilization of endogenous vitamin A. Considering how the patients already showed a drop in RBP relative to retinol concentrations, it is reasonable to assume vitamin A supplementation may trigger harmful effects in CLD patients.

Efeito da terapia com interferon peguilado e ribavirina sobre o estado nutricional de pacientes com infecção crônica pelo vírus C / Effect of therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin on the nutritional status of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection

Introdução: A hepatite C afeta cerca 3% da população mundial. No Brasil este percentual varia entre 1% e 2%. O tratamento com melhor resposta é realizado através da terapia combinada de interferon peguilado (PegINF) e ribavirina (RBV). Aproximadamente 10% a 20% desses pacientes apresentam os efeitos adversos da terapia. O estado nutricional tem sido reconhecido como um indicador com valor prognóstico para estes pacientes. Objetivo: O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar o estado nutricional de pacientes com infecção crônica pelo vírus C submetidos à terapia antiviral combinada de PegINF e RBV. Métodos: A amostra foi constituída de 29 pacientes com idade entre 18 e 70 anos, ambos os sexos, com diagnóstico de hepatite C, em tratamento com PegINF e RBV, sendo acompanhados em ambulatório. Os parâmetros para avaliação nutricional foram: avaliação subjetiva global adaptada para hepatopatas, antropometria (peso, estatura, IMC, dobra cutânea tricipital, circunferência do braço e circunferência muscular do braço) e parâmetros bioquímicos (glicose e hemoglobina). Resultados: Durante a terapia 93,1% dos pacientes perderam peso. Quanto à reserva adiposa 100% dos pacientes do sexo masculino eram eutróficos, já no sexo feminino 25% apresentavam desnutrição. Quanto ao compartimento proteico somático 84,6% dos pacientes do sexo masculino apresentavam desnutrição, enquanto no sexo feminino 37,5%. Observou-se perda de peso maior nos pacientes com depressão e náuseas. Conclusão: Considerando o estado nutricional destes pacientes é importante estimular o diagnóstico e tratamento nutricional visando diminuir a frequência e/ou gravidade dos efeitos colaterais e melhora da resposta ao tratamento...

Vitamin A metabolic aspects and alcoholic liver disease

The liver is a strategic organ in the metabolism of macro and micronutrients; when its functioning is compromised, it may cause some change in the nutritional status of vitamin A. The purpose of this article is to review scientific evidence in literature on the liver metabolism of vitamin A, the role of ethanol and retinol interactions on hepatic morphology, besides the alterations in the metabolism of this vitamin in alcoholic liver disease. Data were collected from Medline database. The liver is the main organ responsible for the storage, metabolism and distribution of vitamin A to peripheral tissues. This organ uses retinol for its normal functioning such as cell proliferation and differentiation. This way, vitamin A deficiency seems to alter liver morphology. Patients with alcoholic liver disease have been found to have low hepatic levels of retinol in all stages of their disease. In alcoholic liver disease, vitamin A deficiency may result from decreased ingestion or absorption, reduction in retinoic acid synthesis or increased degradation. Long-term alcohol intake results in reduced levels of retinoic acid, which may promote the development of liver tumor. So, in chronic alcoholic subjects, vitamin A status needs to be closely monitored to avoid its deficiency and clinical effects, however its supplementation must be done with caution since the usual dose may be toxic for those who consume ethanol.

O fígado é um órgão estratégico no metabolismo de macro e de micronutrientes e, portanto, é de esperar que o comprometimento de sua função seja acompanhado de alterações no estado nutricional de vitamina A. O objetivo deste artigo é revisar na literatura evidências científicas sobre o metabolismo hepático da vitamina A, o efeito das interações entre a vitamina A e o etanol sobre a morfologia hepática, além das alterações do metabolismo dessa vitamina na doença hepática alcoólica. Os dados foram selecionados na base de dados Medline no período de 1979 a 2005. O fígado é o principal órgão responsável pelo armazenamento, metabolismo e distribuição da vitamina A para os tecidos periféricos. Esse órgão utiliza retinol para seu funcionamento normal como proliferação e diferenciação celular. Dessa forma, a deficiência dessa vitamina parece alterar a morfologia hepática. Baixos níveis de retinol hepático têm sido encontrados em todos os estágios da doença hepática alcoólica. A deficiência de vitamina A na doença hepática alcoólica pode resultar da diminuição da sua ingestão ou absorção, na redução da síntese de ácido retinóico ou na diminuição da sua degradação. A ingestão crônica de álcool resulta em níveis reduzidos de ácido retinóico, o que favorece a formação de tumor hepático. Logo, em etilistas crônicos o estado nutricional de vitamina A deve ser monitorado, para evitar sua deficiência e seus sintomas clínicos, embora a suplementação deva ser feita com cautela, pois doses comumente usadas podem ser tóxicas para aqueles que consomem etanol.