Comparative outcomes of total parenteral nutrition use in patients aged greater or less than 80 years of age

L-Lysine protects against sepsis-induced chronic lung injury in male albino rats

Sepsis is a severe, life-threatening condition primarily caused by the cellular response to infection. Sepsis leads to increased tissue damage and mortality in patients in the intensive care unit. L-Lysine is an essential amino acid required for protein biosynthesis and is abundant in lamb, pork, eggs, red meat, fish oil, cheese, beans, peas, and soy. Male albino rats were divided into sham, control, 10-mg/kg bwt L-lysine, and 20-mg/kg bwt L-lysine groups. At the end of treatment, we determined the levels of oxidative and inflammatory markers, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and catalase activities, total cell count, the wet/dry ratio of lung tissue, and total protein content. Furthermore, the effect of L-lysine on the cellular architecture of lung tissue was evaluated. L-Lysine significantly reduced the magnitude of lipid peroxidation; total protein content; wet/dry ratio of lung tissue; tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-8, and macrophage inhibitory factor levels; MPO activity; and total cell, neutrophil, and lymphocyte counts, and it increased the reduced glutathione levels and the glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities. A normal cellular architecture was noted in rats in the sham group, whereas proinflammatory changes, such as edema and neutrophilic infiltration, were detected in rats in the control group. L-lysine significantly ameliorated these proinflammatory changes. Thus, L-lysine has the potential for the treatment of sepsis-induced CLI.

When Is Parenteral Nutrition Appropriate?

Parenteral nutrition (PN) represents one of the most notable achievements of modern medicine, serving as a therapeutic modality for all age groups across the healthcare continuum. PN offers a life-sustaining option when intestinal failure prevents adequate oral or enteral nutrition. However, providing nutrients by vein is an expensive form of nutrition support, and serious adverse events can occur. In an effort to provide clinical guidance regarding PN therapy, the Board of Directors of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) convened a task force to develop consensus recommendations regarding appropriate PN use. The recommendations contained in this document aim to delineate appropriate PN use and promote clinical benefits while minimizing the risks associated with the therapy. These consensus recommendations build on previous ASPEN clinical guidelines and consensus recommendations for PN safety. They are intended to guide evidence-based decisions regarding appropriate PN use for organizations and individual professionals, including physicians, nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, and other clinicians involved in providing PN. They not only support decisions related to initiating and managing PN but also serve as a guide for developing quality monitoring tools for PN and for identifying areas for further research. Finally, the recommendations contained within the document are also designed to inform decisions made by additional stakeholders, such as policy makers and third-party payers, by providing current perspectives regarding the use of PN in a variety of healthcare settings.

Efficacy and Therapeutic Potential of Curcumin Against Sepsis-Induced Chronic Lung Injury in Male Albino Rats

The present study investigates curcumin effect against sepsis-induced chronic lung injury (CLI) of male albino rats. Rats were grouped into four groups such rats undergoing a sham cecal ligature puncture (CLP), rats undergoing CLP, rats undergoing CLP and treated with saline and rats undergoing CLP and treated with curcumin (100 mg/kg bwt). After 45 days of treatment, bronchoalveolar fluid (BALF), blood and lung tissues were collected from the each animal. The total protein content, wet and dry (W/D) weight of lung tissues and some inflammatory cells in the BALF were measured. Histopathological analysis was carried out to investigate the alteration of the cellular architecture of lung tissues. Lipid peroxidation malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels were determined. Cytokines such as interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) and macrophage inhibitory factor (MIF) were measured in the BALF. Curcumin administration significantly reduced CLP-induced inflammation and pulmonary edema. Curcumin treatment is significantly reduced MPO activity, and inflammatory cell accumulation in the BALF and also protein level, MDA, SOD, and W/D ratio were significantly reduced in the lung tissues. Also, curcumin reduced the expression of IL-A, TNF-a and MIF levels in the lung tissues. Histopathological study revealed the significant reduction of CLP-induced CLI in the curcumin-treated male albino rats. Taking all these data together, it is concluded that curcumin can act as a suitable therapeutic agent against CLP-induced CLI of male albino rats.