Effects of an Immune-enhancing Diet in Critically Injured Patients

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Abstract
To determine the effects of an immune-enhancing experimental diet (XD = supplemental arginine, trace elements, and increased omega-3 fatty acids) versus standard diet (SD), on immune cell function and clinical outcome of critically injured patients Prospective randomized clinical trial of patients admitted to the surgical intensive care unit after trauma (Injury Severity Score > 13). Patients received early enteral nutrition with either XD or SD for a minimum of 5 days. Mortality, intensive care unit, ventilator, and hospital days, as well as incidence of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and infectious complications were recorded. Nutritional parameters were also studied. Peripheral blood leukocytes were isolated from normal volunteers and from patients on days 1, 6, and 10 of feeding. Demographics and injury severity were similar in both groups. Both SD (n = 21) and XD (n = 22) groups revealed depressed monocyte function (tumor necrosis factor, prostaglandin E2, and procoagulant activity) on day 1 compared with a reference group (p 2 The exact role and timing for diets with immune-enhancing effects has yet to be defined.