Role of Enteral Immunonutrition in Patients with Gastric Carcinoma Undergoing Major Surgery

Abstract

To evaluate the influence of postoperative immunonutrition on immune and nutritional parameters in patients with gastric carcinoma. From September 2002 to August 2003, 40 patients with gastric carcinoma who had undergone major surgery were randomly divided into an immunonutrition group and standard nutrition group, each of 20 patients. On postoperative Day 2, patients in the standard nutrition group received a standard enteral formula, while those in the immunonutrition group received an enteral formula enriched with glutamine, arginine and omega-3 fatty acids. Nutritional support was continued for 7 days. Blood samples were obtained to determine plasma albumin, prealbumin and transferrin on Days 0, 5 and 9. On Days 0, 1 and 9, blood samples were collected to detect immunoglobulin (Ig) A, IgG, IgM, CD4 and CD8 cell counts, the ratio of CD4/CD8, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, respectively. There were no significant differences between the two groups in protein and immune parameters preoperatively and no significant differences in management perioperatively. No serious adverse effects were recorded with the two formulas. Postoperative procedures were smooth in both groups. On Day 9, serum levels of prealbumin and transferrin were higher in the immunonutrition group than in the standard nutrition group (p<0.01). After 7 days' nutritional support, patients in the immunonutrition group had higher levels of immunoglobulin, CD4 cell counts, CD4/CD8 ratio and IL-2 than those in the control group, whereas IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels were significantly lower in the immunonutrition group. Compared with standard enteral nutrition, enteral immunonutrition can improve defence mechanisms and modulate inflammatory action after major elective surgery for gastric carcinoma.