Understanding the gut microbiota in cancer cachexia.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Cachexia is a complex, multifactorial syndrome primarily characterized by weight loss, muscle wasting, anorexia, and systemic inflammation. It is prevalent in cancer patients and is associated with a poor prognosis, including lower resistance to intervention toxicity, quality of life, and survival, compared to patients without the syndrome. The gut microbiota and its metabolites have been shown to influence host metabolism and immune response. Our article reviews the current evidence suggesting a role of gut microbiota in the development and progression of cachexia, while discussing the potential mechanisms involved. We also describe promising interventions targeting gut microbiota aiming to improve outcomes related to cachexia. RECENT FINDINGS: Dysbiosis, an imbalance in gut microbiota, has been associated with cancer cachexia through pathways involving muscle wasting, inflammation, and gut barrier dysfunction. Interventions targeting gut microbiota, such as probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation, have shown promising results in managing this syndrome in animal models. However, evidence in humans is currently limited. SUMMARY: Mechanisms linking gut microbiota and cancer cachexia need to be further explored, and additional human research is necessary to evaluate the appropriate dosages, safety, and long-term outcomes of prebiotic and probiotic use in microbiota management for cancer cachexia.

Gastrointestinal genetic reprogramming of vitamin A metabolic pathways in response of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is one of the most performed bariatric surgical techniques. However, RYGB commonly results, as side effects, in nutritional deficiencies. This study aimed to examine changes in the expression of vitamin A pathway encoding genes in the gastrointestinal tract (GI) and to evaluate the potential mechanisms associated with hypovitaminosis A after RYGB. Intestinal biopsies were obtained through double-balloon endoscopy in 20 women with obesity (age 46.9±6.2 years; body mass index [BMI] 46.5±5.3 kg/m2 [mean±SD]) before and three months after RYGB (BMI, 38.2±4.2 kg/m2). Intestinal mucosal gene microarray analyses were performed in samples using a Human GeneChip 1.0 ST array (Affymetrix). Vitamin A intake was assessed from 7-day food records and serum retinol levels were evaluated by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Our results showed the following genes with significant downregulation (p≤0.05): LIPF (-0.60), NPC1L1 (-0.71), BCO1 (-0.45), and RBP4 (-0.13) in duodenum; CD36 (-0.33), and ISX (-0.43) in jejunum and BCO1 (-0.29) in ileum. No significant changes in vitamin A intake were found (784±694 retinol equivalents [RE] pre-operative vs. 809±753 RE post-operative [mean±SD]). Although patients were routinely supplemented with 3500 international units IU/day (equivalent to 1050 µg RE/day) of oral retinol palmitate, serum concentrations were lower in the post-operative when compared to pre-operative period (0.35±0.14 µg/L vs. 0.52±0.33 µg/L, respectively - P=0.07), both within the normal range. After RYGB, the simultaneous change in expression of GI genes, may impair carotenoid metabolism in the enterocytes, formation of nascent chylomicrons and transport of retinol, resulting in lower availability of vitamin A.

Dys-R Questionnaire: A Novel Screening Tool for Dysbiosis Linked to Impaired Gut Microbiota Richness.

Practical and affordable tools to screen intestinal dysbiosis are needed to support clinical decision making. Our study aimed to design a new subjective screening tool for the risk of intestinal dysbiosis from a previously described nonvalidated questionnaire (DYS/FQM) and based on subjective and objective data. A total of 219 individuals comprised the chronic diseases (CD; n = 167) and healthy control (HC; 52 subjects) groups. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, body composition, lifestyle, past history, intestinal health, and dietary data were collected. The gut microbiota (GM) profile was assessed from fecal samples using the 16S rRNA sequencing. Scores for the new tool (Dys-R Questionnaire) were assigned using discrete optimization techniques. The association between Dys-R scores and dysbiosis risk was assessed through correlation, simple linear models, sensitivity, specificity, as well as positive and negative predictive values. We found significant differences in the Chao1 Index between CD and HC groups (adjusted p-value = 0.029), highlighting lower GM richness as the primary marker for intestinal dysbiosis. DYS/FQM showed poor performance in identifying poor GM richness. Dys-R exhibited a 42% sensitivity, 82% specificity, 79% positive predictive value (PPV), and 55% negative predictive value (NPV) to identify poor GM richness. The new Dys-R questionnaire showed good performance in ruling out dysbiosis.

Megamonas funiformis, Plasma Zonulin, and Sodium Intake Affect C3 Complement Levels in Inactive Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

The etiology of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) remains unclear, with both genetic and environmental factors potentially contributing. This study aimed to explore the relationship among gut microbiota (GM), intestinal permeability, and food intake with inflammatory markers in inactive SLE patients. A total of 22 women with inactive SLE and 20 healthy volunteers were enrolled, and dietary intake was assessed through 24-h dietary recalls. Plasma zonulin was used to evaluate intestinal permeability, while GM was determined by 16S rRNA sequencing. Regression models were used to analyze laboratory markers of lupus disease (C3 and C4 complement and C-reactive protein). Our results showed that the genus Megamonas was significantly enriched in the iSLE group (p < 0.001), with Megamonas funiformis associated with all evaluated laboratory tests (p < 0.05). Plasma zonulin was associated with C3 levels (p = 0.016), and sodium intake was negatively associated with C3 and C4 levels (p < 0.05). A combined model incorporating variables from each group (GM, intestinal permeability, and food intake) demonstrated a significant association with C3 complement levels (p < 0.01). These findings suggest that increased Megamonas funiformis abundance, elevated plasma zonulin, and higher sodium intake may contribute to reduced C3 complement levels in women with inactive SLE.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass affects the expression of genes related to the intestinal folate metabolism pathway in obese women.

OBJECTIVES: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) promotes sustained weight loss, and the resulting new gastrointestinal anatomy can contribute to nutritional depletions. Folate deficiency is one of the most frequently observed nutritional deficiencies after RYGB. The aim of this study was to assess whether RYGB affects the expression of genes related to the intestinal folate metabolism pathway as an additional molecular mechanism contributing to its postoperative deficiency. METHODS: Biopsies from the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum of 20 obese women were collected before and 3 mo after RYGB. The expression of genes involved in intestinal folate metabolism was assessed by microarray and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Folate intake (7-d food record) and plasma levels (electrochemiluminescence) also were measured. RESULTS: Compared with the preoperative phase, transcriptomic alterations were observed in all intestinal segments studied after RYBG, mainly marked by decreased expression of genes encoding folate transporters/receptors and increased expression of genes involved in folate biosynthesis (P < 0.05). Reduced folate intake and plasma folate levels were also observed simultaneously (P < 0.05). Plasma folate concentrations correlated inversely with intestinal FOLR2 and SHMT2 genes (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The present findings suggested that impaired expression of genes related to intestinal folate metabolism may contribute to the early systemic deficiency after RYGB and highlight a potential transcriptomic reprogramming of the intestine in response to RYGB to compensate for folate depletion induced by this surgical technique.

Bioelectrical impedance analysis and skinfold thickness sum in assessing body fat mass of renal dialysis patients.

OBJECTIVE: In chronic renal failure patients under hemodialysis (HD) treatment, the availability of simple, safe, and effective tools to assess body composition enables evaluation of body composition accurately, in spite of changes in body fluids that occur in dialysis therapy, thus contributing to planning and monitoring of nutritional treatment. We evaluated the performance of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and the skinfold thickness sum (SKF) to assess fat mass (FM) in chronic renal failure patients before (BHD) and after (AHD) HD, using air displacement plethysmography (ADP) as the standard method. DESIGN: This single-center cross-sectional trial involved comparing the FM of 60 HD patients estimated BHD and AHD by BIA (multifrequential; 29 women, 31 men) and by SKF with those estimated by the reference method, ADP. Body fat-free mass (FFM) was also obtained by subtracting the total body fat from the individual total weight. RESULTS: Mean estimated FM (kg [%]) observed by ADP BHD was 17.95 ± 0.99 kg (30.11% ± 1.30%), with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 16.00 to 19.90 (27.56 to 32.66); mean estimated FM observed AHD was 17.92 ± 1.11 kg (30.04% ± 1.40%), with a 95% CI of 15.74 to 20.10 (27.28 to 32.79). Neither study period showed a difference in FM and FFM (for both kg and %) estimates by the SKF method when compared with ADP; however, the BIA underestimated the FM and overestimated the FFM (for both kg and %) when compared with ADP. CONCLUSION: The SKF, but not the BIA, method showed results similar to ADP and can be considered adequate for FM evaluation in HD patients.

Genetic reprogramming of remnant duodenum may contribute to type 2 diabetes improvement after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

OBJECTIVES: Type 2 diabetes control occurs within a few days after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and might be related to intestinal adaptation to the new anatomic arrangement. The aim of this study was to evaluate the intestinal transcriptome response to RYGB and its correlation with markers of glycemic homeostasis. METHODS: Global transcriptomic analyses performed by microarray technique were conducted in intestinal biopsies collected from adult women with obesity (N = 20) and T2D before and 3 mo after RYGB. Clinical and biochemical markers of glycemic homeostasis were also evaluated. At 1-y postoperative, patients were classified as responsive (R) or non-responsive (NR) to complete T2D remission according to the American Diabetes Association criteria. Intestinal differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed separately in the two groups, validated by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and applied in functional enrichment and canonical pathway analysis. Spearman correlations between clinical and biochemical variables with DEGs were conducted. Twelve patients were classified as R and displayed 62 (duodenum), 241 (jejunum), and 63 (ileum) DEGs. RESULTS: Eight of the patients with DEGs presented very strong or strong positive correlations with glycemia or glycated hemoglobin. Duodenal changes of genes involved in the LXR/RXR pathway were more likely to be associated with T2D. CONCLUSION: In obese women, complete remission of T2D after RYGB might include intestinal transcriptomic changes that suggest a potential role of intracellular cholesterol and lipid homeostasis on glucose control.

Intestinal expression of toll-like receptor gene changes early after gastric bypass surgery and association with type 2 diabetes remission.

OBJECTIVES: Abnormal activation of toll-like receptors (TLRs) is observed in obese rodents and is correlated with local dysbiosis and increased gut permeability. These purported changes trigger systemic inflammation associated with obesity-related comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes (T2D). Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery is an effective treatment for severe obesity and known to induce changes in the gut microbiota and decrease systemic inflammation in humans. This study examined the intestinal expression of TLR-encoding genes in obese women (n = 20) treated with RYGB surgery and the relationship of these genes with T2D remission (T2Dr METHODS: Intestinal biopsies were performed before and 3 months after RYGB surgery. Partial and complete T2Dr after 1 year was assessed using the American Diabetes Association criteria. Affymetrix Human GeneChip 1.0 ST array (microarray) and TaqMan assay (real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction) were used to analyze intestinal gene expression, and associations with systemic markers of energy homeostasis were examined. RESULTS: Patients experienced significant weight loss (P < 0.001) and altered gut TLR gene expression 3 months after surgery. The main effects were a reduction in jejunal TLR4 expression in patients with complete and partial T2Dr (P < 0.05). There was a postoperative decrease in jejunal TLR7 expression in patients with complete T2Dr that correlated inversely with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and positively with triglyceride concentrations, but not with weight loss. CONCLUSIONS: RYGB-induced weight loss-independent changes in the expression of intestinal TLR-encoding genes in obese women and complete T2Dr that was correlated with systemic markers of energy homeostasis. The modulation of intestinal TLRs may mediate inflammatory mechanisms linked to T2Dr after RYGB surgery.

Reduced intestinal FADS1 gene expression and plasma omega-3 fatty acids following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) limits food ingestion and may alter the intestinal expression of genes involved in the endogenous synthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). These changes may decrease the systemic availability of bioactive PUFAs after RYGB. To study the impact of RYGB on the dietary ingestion and plasma concentration of PUFAs and on the intestinal expression of genes involved in their endogenous biosynthesis in severely obese women with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Before, and 3 and 12 months after RYGB, obese women (n = 20) self-reported a seven-day dietary record, answered a food frequency query and provided plasma samples for alpha-linolenic (ALA), eicosapentaenoic (EPA), docosahexaenoic (DHA) and arachidonic (ARA) acid assessment by gas chromatography. Intestinal biopsies (duodenum, jejunum and ileum) were collected through double-balloon endoscopy before and 3 months after RYGB for gene expression analysis by microarray (Human GeneChip 1.0 ST array) and RT-qPCR validation. RESULTS: Compared to the preoperative period, patients had decreased intakes of PUFAs, fish and soybean oil (p < 0.05) and lower plasma concentrations of ALA and EPA (p < 0.001) 3 and 12 months after RYGB. FADS1 gene expression was lower in duodenum (RT-qPCR fold change = -1.620, p < 0.05) and jejunum (RT-qPCR fold change = -1.549, p < 0.05) 3 months following RYGB, compared to before surgery. CONCLUSION: RYGB decreased PUFA ingestion, plasma ALA and EPA levels, and intestinal expression of FADS1 gene. The latter encodes a key enzyme involved in endogenous biosynthesis of PUFAs. These data suggest that supplementation of omega-3 PUFAs may be required for obese patients undergoing RYGB. Clinical Trial Registry number and website: www.clinicaltrials.gov - NCT01251016; Plataforma Brasil - 19339913.0.0000.0068.

Tissue-specific methylation profile in obese patients with type 2 diabetes before and after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Eating habits, lifestyles, and exposure to specific environmental factors can greatly impact the risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D), influence the genome epigenetically, and affect the expression of genes, including genes related to glycemic control, at any stage of life. The epigenetic mechanism underlying obesity and T2D pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Conventional strategies for the treatment of obesity and its comorbidities often have poor long-term adherence, and pharmacological interventions are limited. Bariatric surgery is the most effective current option to treat severe obesity, and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is the most applied technique worldwide. Epigenetic changes differ depending on the approach used to treat obesity and its associated comorbidities (clinical or surgical). Compared to primary clinical care, bariatric surgery leads to much greater loss of body weight and higher remission rates of T2D and metabolic syndrome, with methylation profiles in promoter regions of genes in obese individuals becoming similar to those of normal-weight individuals. Bariatric surgery can influence DNA methylation in parallel with changes in gene expression pattern. Changes in clinical biomarkers that reflect improvements in glucose and lipid metabolism after RYGB often occur before major weight loss and are coordinated by surgery-induced changes in intestinal hormones. Therefore, the intestine methylation profile would assist in understanding the mechanisms involved in improved glycemic control after bariatric surgery. The main objectives in this area for the future are to identify epigenetic marks that could be used as early indicators of metabolic risk, and to develop treatments able to delay or even reverse these epigenetic changes. Studies that provide the "human epigenetic profile" will be of considerable value to identify tissue-specific epigenetic signatures and their role in the development of chronic diseases. Further studies should apply methods based on global analysis of the genome to identify methylated sites associated with disease and epigenetic marks associated with the remodeling response to bariatric surgery. This review describes the main epigenetic alterations associated with obesity and T2D and the potential role of RYGB in remodeling these changes.

The SURMetaGIT study: Design and rationale for a prospective pan-omics examination of the gastrointestinal response to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery.

Objective To describe the protocol of the SURgically induced Metabolic effects on the Human GastroIntestinal Tract (SURMetaGIT) study, a clinical pan-omics study exploring the gastrointestinal tract as a central organ driving remission of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). The main points considered in the study's design and challenges faced in its application are detailed. Methods This observational, longitudinal, prospective study involved collection of gastrointestinal biopsy specimens, faeces, urine, and blood from 25 obese women with T2DM who were candidates for RYGB (20 patients for omics assessment and 5 for omics validation). These collections were performed preoperatively and 3 and 24 months postoperatively. Gastrointestinal transcriptomics; faecal metagenomics and metabolomics; plasma proteomics, lipidomics, and metabolomics; and biochemical, nutritional, and metabolic data were assessed to identify their short- and long-term correlations with T2DM remission. Results Data were collected from 20 patients before and 3 months after RYGB. These patients have nearly completed the 2-year follow-up assessments. The five additional patients are currently being selected for omics data validation. Conclusion The multi-integrated pan-omics approach of the SURMetaGIT study enables integrated analysis of data that will contribute to the understanding of molecular mechanisms involved in T2DM remission after RYGB.

Design of quality indicators for oral nutritional therapy.

OBJECTIVE: Quality indicators in nutritional therapy (NT) have been proposed as useful tools to improve clinical NT. This study was conducted to develop feasible quality indicators in oral nutritional therapy (QIONTs) to aid quality control. METHODS: A Clinical Nutrition Task Force composed of Brazilian NT experts from the International Life Science Institute (ILSI) developed QIONTs. In an internet-based psychometric survey, 40 independent Brazilian NT practitioners assessed four attributes (simplicity, utility, objectivity, and low cost) of each QIONT using a five-point Likert scale. RESULTS: Independent NT experts consistently classified all 12 QIONTs developed by the ILSI team as good (mean Cronbach's alpha = 0.84). In ranked order, the QIONTs enable assessment of the frequency of nutritional screening, oral nutritional supplementation (ONS) prescription to malnourished patients receiving an oral diet, ONS prescription to patients receiving an oral diet but at risk of malnutrition, nutritional assessment, adhesion to ONS regime, hospitalized patients with insufficient oral dietary intake and ONS prescription, ICU patients with insufficient oral dietary intake and ONS prescription, oral intake assessment in ICU patients, oral intake assessment in ward patients, oral supplement volume intolerance due to inappropriate offering time, ONS flavor intolerance, and ONS volume intolerance. CONCLUSION: Twelve potentially feasible new QIONTs were developed and approved for clinical practice by experts.

Objetivo: los indicadores de calidad en la terapia nutricional han sido propuestos como herramientas útiles para mejorar la terapia nutricional (TN). Este estudio pretende diseñar indicadores de calidad de terapia nutricional oral (ICTNO) factibles en el control de calidad de TN oral. Métodos: el diseño de ICTNO fue realizado por una comisión de nutrición clínica compuesta por brasileños expertos en TN del International Life Science Institute (ILSI). Más tarde, la aprobación de estos ICTNO fue valorada con análisis psicométricos recogiendo las opiniones de otros brasileños dedicados independientemente a la TN (n = 40) vía SurveyMonkey (encuesta por internet). Esta consistió en cuatro atributos valorando cada ICTNO (simplicidad, utilidad, objetividad y bajo precio) seguida de una escala Likert con cinco puntos. Resultados: los expertos en TN de ILSI proporcionaron el diseño de 12 QIONT, que fueron todos consistentemente (Alfa de Cronbach = 0,84) clasificados como válidos por expertos independientes en NT. Por orden de relevancia, los nuevos ICTNO valoraron: la frecuencia de screening nutricional, la prescripción de suplementos de nutrición oral para pacientes desnutridos que ya reciben dieta oral, la prescripción de suplementos de nutrición oral para pacientes con bajo riesgo nutricional que ya reciben dieta oral, el consejo nutricional, la adhesión al suplemento nutricional oral, los pacientes hospitalizados con dieta oral insuficiente y prescripción de suplementos nutricionales orales, los pacientes de UCI con dieta oral insuficiente y prescripción de suplementos nutricionales orales, el consejo de nutrición oral en pacientes de UCI, el consejo de nutrición oral en pacientes en planta, la intolerancia al volumen de suplemento oral debido a dosificación inadecuada, la intolerancia al sabor del suplemento oral y la intolerancia al volumen de suplemento oral. Conclusión: según la opinión experta, 12 potenciales y factibles nuevos ICTNO fueron diseñados y aprobados para la práctica clínica.

Parenteral fish oil as a pharmacological agent to modulate post-operative immune response: a randomized, double-blind, and controlled clinical trial in patients with gastrointestinal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Fish oil-based lipid emulsions (FOLEs) have shown post-operative immunological and clinical benefits in parenteral nutrition. AIM: To assess post-operative immune response after short-term pre-operative parenteral infusion of isolated FOLE in gastrointestinal cancer patients. METHODS: The patients (n = 63) received pre-operative peripheral infusion (0.2 g fat/kg body weight/d) of FOLE (Omegaven(®)) or control lipid emulsion (MCT/LCT; Lipovenos MCT(®)) for 3 days. Post-operative concentrations of inflammatory mediators, leukocyte functions, surface molecules, infections, and length of intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay were measured. RESULTS: FOLE patients had a significant increase of IL-10 levels on day 3, decrease of IL-6 and IL-10 levels on day 6, lower decrease in leukocyte oxidative burst, maintenance of monocyte percentage expressing HLA-DR and CD32, and increase of CD32 neutrophil expression compared to MCT/LCT patients. No changes were observed in the frequency of post-operative infections or length of ICU and hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term pre-operative infusion of FO alone improves the post-operative immune response of gastrointestinal cancer patients without significantly changing post-operative infections or length of ICU and hospital stay. ID:NCT01218841.

Human leukocyte death after a preoperative infusion of medium/long-chain triglyceride and fish oil parenteral emulsions: a randomized study in gastrointestinal cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Parenteral lipid emulsions (LEs) can influence leukocyte functions. The authors investigated the effect of 2 LEs on leukocyte death in surgical patients with gastrointestinal cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-five patients from a randomized, double-blind clinical trial (ID: NCT01218841) were randomly included to evaluate leukocyte death after 3 days of preoperative infusion (0.2 g fat/kg/d) of an LE composed equally of medium/long-chain triglycerides and soybean oil (MCTs/LCTs) or pure fish oil (FO). Blood samples were collected before (t0) and after LE infusion (t1) and on the third postoperative day (t2). RESULTS: After LE infusion (t1 vs t0), MCTs/LCTs did not influence cell death; FO slightly increased the proportion of necrotic lymphocytes (5%). At the postoperative period (t2 vs t0), MCTs/LCTs tripled the proportion of apoptotic lymphocytes; FO maintained the slightly increased proportion of necrotic lymphocytes (7%) and reduced the percentage of apoptotic lymphocytes by 74%. In the postoperative period, MCT/LCT emulsion increased the proportion of apoptotic neutrophils, and FO emulsion did not change any parameter of apoptosis in the neutrophil population. There were no differences in lymphocyte or neutrophil death when MCT/LCT and FO treatments were compared during either preoperative or postoperative periods. MCT/LCTs altered the expression of 12 of 108 genes related to cell death, with both pro- and antiapoptotic effects; FO modulated the expression of 7 genes, demonstrating an antiapoptotic effect. CONCLUSION: In patients with gastrointestinal cancer, preoperative MCT/LCT infusion was associated with postoperative lymphocyte and neutrophil apoptosis. FO has a protective effect on postoperative lymphocyte apoptosis.

Selection of top 10 quality indicators for nutrition therapy.

BACKGROUND: The identification of useful quality indicators for nutrition therapy (QINTs) is of great interest and a challenge. This study attempted to identify the 10 QINTs that best suit the practice of quality control in nutrition therapy (NT) by evaluating the opinion of experts in NT with the use of psychometric techniques and statistical tools. METHODS: Thirty-six QINTs available for clinical application in Brazil were assessed in 2 distinct phases. In phase 1, 26 nutrition experts ranked QINTs by scoring 4 attributes (utility, simplicity, objectivity, low cost) to assess each QINT on a 5-point Likert scale. The top 10 QINTs were identified from the 10 best scores obtained, and the reliability of expert opinion for each indicator was assessed by Cronbach's α. In phase 2, experts provided feedback regarding the selected top 10 QINTs by answering 2 closed questions. RESULTS: The top 10 QINTs, in descending order, are the frequency of nutrition screening of hospitalized patients, diarrhea, involuntary withdrawal of enteral feeding tubes, feeding tube obstruction, fasting longer than 24 hours, glycemic dysfunction, estimated energy expenditure and protein needs, central venous catheter infection, compliance of NT indication, and frequency of application of subjective global assessment. Opinions were consistent among the interviewed experts. During feedback, 96% of experts were satisfied with the top 10 QINTs, and 100% had considered them in accordance with their previous opinion. CONCLUSION: The top 10 QINTs were identified according to their usefulness in clinical practice by obtaining adequate agreement and representativeness of opinion of nutrition experts.

Efeito da infusão pré-operatória de emulsão lipídica parenteral de óleo de peixe sobre a resposta imunológica pós-operatória e a evolução clínica imediata de pacientes com câncer gastrintestinal / Effect of the preoperative infusion of fish oil parenteral lipid emulsion on postoperative immune response and immediate clinical outcome of patients with gastrointestinal cancer

INTRODUÇÃO: Emulsão lipídica parenteral composta por óleo de peixe, rica em ácidos graxos ômega-3, é infundida associada a emulsões lipídicas convencionais, como parte da terapia nutricional parenteral. Em pacientes cirúrgicos, a infusão perioperatória de emulsão lipídica de óleo de peixe se associa à preservação de funções imunológicas e modulação favorável de mediadores inflamatórios pós-operatórios, com redução na frequência de complicações infecciosas e no tempo de internação em unidade de terapia intensiva e hospitalar. Os benefícios descritos encorajam a infusão parenteral isolada de emulsão lipídica de óleo de peixe, como fármaconutriente adjuvante no tratamento de pacientes cirúrgicos, independente da indicação de terapia nutricional parenteral. OBJETIVO: O presente estudo avaliou o efeito da infusão parenteral pré-operatória, por curto prazo, de emulsão lipídica de óleo de peixe isolada sobre a resposta imunológica pósoperatória e a evolução clínica imediata de pacientes com câncer gastrintestinal. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo, aleatório, duplo-cego e controlado em 63 pacientes cirúrgicos eletivos com câncer gastrintestinal. Os doentes receberam infusão por veia periférica (0,2g gordura/kg de peso corpóreo/dia) de emulsão lipídica parenteral de óleo de peixe (Omegaven® 10% - Fresenius-Kabi) ou emulsão lipídica parenteral controle (Lipovenos MCT® 10% - Fresenius-Kabi) durante os 3 últimos dias pré-operatórios. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas antes e após a infusão parenteral das emulsões lipídicas e nos 3º e 6º (apenas para citocinas) dias pósoperatórios. Analisou-se a concentração plasmática de IL-6 e IL-10 e a migração, fagocitose, explosão oxidativa e expressão de moléculas HLA-DR e CD32 leucocitárias. A frequência de complicações infecciosas e tempo de internação na unidade de terapia intensiva e hospitalar também foram avaliados no período pós-operatório imediato...

BACKGROUND: Parenteral lipid emulsion composed by fish oil, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, is infused in addition to other standard lipid emulsions, as part of parenteral nutrition therapy. In surgical patients, the perioperative infusion of fish oil lipid emulsion is associated with immune functions preservation and favorably modulation of postoperative inflammatory mediators, with decreased infectious complications and length of intensive care unit and hospital stay. These reported benefits encourage the use of fish oil lipid emulsion alone, as a pharmacological adjuvant agent for the treatment of surgical patients, independent of parenteral nutritional therapy indication. AIM: This clinical trial assessed the effect of short-term preoperative infusion of fish oil lipid emulsion alone on postoperative immune response and immediate clinical outcomes of patients with gastroenterological cancer. METHOD: In a prospective, randomized, controlled and double-blind design, elective surgical patients with gastrointestinal cancer (n= 63) received, for the last 3 pre-operative days, peripheral infusion (0.2g fat/kg of body weight./d) of fish oil lipid emulsion (Omegaven® 10% - Fresenius-Kabi) or control lipid emulsion (Lipovenos MCT® 10% - Fresenius-Kabi). Peripheral blood samples were collected before and after lipid emulsion infusion at the 3rd and 6th (only for cytokines) postoperative days to analyze plasma concentration of IL-6 and IL-10, as well as leukocyte migration, phagocytosis, oxidative burst and expression of HLADR and CD32 molecules. Postoperative infections, length of intensive care unit and hospital stay were also measured. RESULTS: At postoperative period, patients treated with fish oil lipid emulsion had increase of IL-10 (day 3, p < 0.0001), decrease of IL-6 (day 3, p = 0.029) and IL-10 (day 6, p<0.0001), lower decrease of leukocyte oxidative burst...