Current opinion in clinical nutrition and metabolic care
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The gut has often been suggested to be one of the essential factors in the pathogenesis of many nosocomial infections and possibly multi-organ failure. In the light of several recent studies, the importance of normal gut bacterial flora and the role of the gastrointestinal tract in human immune function are now better understood. It now seems clear that stimulation of gut-associated lymphoid tissue through enteral feeding is the key to the preservation of mucosal-derived immunity; however, the role of this native gastrointestinal immune function in the subsequent development of sepsis and multi-organ dysfunction syndrome remains the subject of ongoing study.
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The present review addresses data from randomized clinical trials on perioperative nutrition in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. It is important to appreciate that different approaches can be used with regard to timing of administration of nutritional support (preoperative versus postoperative), route of administration (parenteral versus enteral) and composition of the admixtures given (standard versus immune-enriched diets). The rationale underlying these approaches may also vary, and may include correction of nutritional status, attenuation of the acute-phase response through better preservation of gut function, and potentiation of the immune response.
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Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care · Jul 2001
ReviewPreoperative oral carbohydrate nutrition: an update.
Insulin resistance is a central feature of the metabolic response after elective surgery as well as other trauma, and has been shown to be a predictor of the length of stay after surgery. Carbohydrate treatment instead of overnight fasting before surgery has been shown to reduce postoperative insulin resistance and to reduce hospital stay approximately 20% after elective surgery. ⋯ Gastric emptying of a 50 g oral carbohydrate load using this drink is complete within 90 min after intake. Oral carbohydrate loading before surgery has confirmed previous data, using glucose and insulin infusions, that postoperative insulin resistance is reduced compared with overnight fasted patients before surgery, and this is associated with improved well-being before and after surgery.
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Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care · Jul 2001
ReviewManagement of catabolism in metabolically stressed patients: a literature survey about growth hormone application.
In the effort to improve the long-term outcome in critically ill patients, the utilization of anabolic agents, such as human recombinant growth hormone, has been proposed in order to reduce catabolism and improve nutritional status. A recent multicentre study regarding the use of human recombinant growth hormone in intensive care unit patients showed an unexpected increase in the mortality rate in human recombinant growth hormone-treated patients. This finding is in contrast with previous literature data reporting either no differences or an even lower mortality rate with the administration of human recombinant growth hormone. ⋯ Our analysis suggests that the low caloric intake given to patients enrolled in the multicentre study might have been inadequate to compensate for the hypermetabolism of these patients, and could not support the prolonged and delayed administration of high doses of human recombinant growth hormone. Whether the beneficial metabolic effects of human recombinant growth hormone translate into better clinical outcomes deserves further investigation. In addition, the careful selection of patients to be treated, and close monitoring of both the adequacy of caloric support and modality of human recombinant growth hormone administration would favour the safety of human recombinant growth hormone utilization in critical care settings.
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Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care · May 2001
ReviewEvidence-based prevention of catheter infection during parenteral nutrition.
Parenteral nutrition is a risk factor for catheter-related bloodstream infection. Here we reviewed strategies for the prevention of catheter-related infections, which always must begin with the cornerstone of prevention: the strict adherence to aseptic techniques. ⋯ Antibiotics or antiseptic-impregnated central venous catheters may even result in cost saving in intensive care units. Antiseptic or antibiotic-lock techniques would also be of interest to prevent catheter-related sepsis in high-risk patients who are receiving parenteral nutrition.