Abstract
BackgroundThe development of effective nutritional supports for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) is still challenging. This study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of daily consumption of fortified whey on inflammation, muscle mass, functionality, and quality of life in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD.MethodsA single-blind, randomized trial study was performed on patients with COPD (n = 46). Participants in the intervention group (n = 23) daily received 250 ml of whey beverage fortified with magnesium and vitamin C for 8 weeks. Any changes in inflammatory cytokines (including interleukin- 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNFα)) were the primary outcomes and the secondary outcomes were fat-free mass, handgrip strength, malnutrition, glutathione and malondialdehyde serum concentrations, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Body composition and muscle strength were measured by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) and hydraulic hand dynamometer, respectively. Fat-free mass index (FFMI) was also calculated.ResultsAt the end of the study, 44 patients were analyzed. There were significant decreases in IL-6 concentrations in the intervention group compared to the control group. Also, FFMI, body protein, and handgrip strength increased significantly in the intervention group with significant changes between two groups. Moreover, improvement in health-related quality of life was observed in the intervention group compared to the control group. There were no significant changes in other study variables.ConclusionsThis novel nutritional intervention decreased inflammatory cytokines levels, improved indices of skeletal muscle mass and muscle strength, and ultimately, increased HRQoL in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD. Thus, it is suggested to do further studies to assess the effects of nutrition intervention on COPD progression.Trial registrationIR.SUMS.REC.1396.85 (https://www.irct.ir/).
Highlights
The development of effective nutritional supports for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) is still challenging
The adherence of consumption of beverage fortified with magnesium and vitamin C showed that 18 (75%) participants in the intervention group had more than 90% adherence, and only 1 (4.2%) participant had less than 70% adherence during the study
Consuming the fortified whey beverage during the study phase showed no side effect in COPD patients except for small gastrointestinal symptoms including bloating in 2 patients and its consumption seemed to be safe in this group
Summary
The development of effective nutritional supports for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) is still challenging. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a respiratory disorder characterized by progressive airflow obstruction and persistent lung inflammation [1]. COPD-related mortality rate is expected to be the third leading cause of death worldwide in 2030 [3]. This disease is a preventable disorder, which smoking and aging are its main contributing factors [4]. Muscle wasting and unintentional weight loss are common as the COPD extra-pulmonary pathology, which might lead to peripheral and respiratory muscle dysfunction, reduced exercise capacity, decreased independence, and increased mortality [6]. COPD has been introduced as a new syndrome called “chronic systemic inflammatory syndrome” associating with many comorbidities and metabolic consequences [8]
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