Natural Bioactive Food Components for Improving Enteral Tube Feeding Tolerance in Adult Patient Populations

Clinical outcomes associated with blenderized tube feedings in adults: A systematic review

Nearly half a million individuals in the United States are dependent on enteral nutrition to meet their nutrition needs. Public interest in blenderized tube feeding (BTF) has increased over the past decade; however, medical professionals indicate a lack of knowledge about these products and their effects. The purpose of this review is to analyze clinical outcomes in adults who use a BTF formula as their primary nutrition source. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL using search terms "adult," "enteral nutrition," "tube feeding," "BTF," blenderized," "blended," "homemade," and "pureed." Nine studies met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed in the review. Under close monitoring, BTF does not pose a higher risk for deterioration in anthropometric measurements. Furthermore, BTF use is consistently associated with improvements in diarrhea. As such, clinicians should consider the use of these formulas in the acute care or rehabilitation settings. Additional research is needed in patients with diverse clinical backgrounds in free-living communities. Larger populations sizes and longer intervention time frames are crucial to providing statistically significant results needed to strengthen the quality of evidence on this topic.

Multi-Omics Analysis of the Mechanism of Mentha Haplocalyx Briq on the Growth and Metabolic Regulation of Fattening Sheep

Mentha haplocalyx Briq (MHB) and its components have been proven to improve the growth performance of livestock and poultry. The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effects of MHB addition on growth performance, rumen and fecal microbiota, rumen fluid, serum and urine metabolism, and transcriptomics of rumen epithelial cells in meat sheep. Twelve Hu sheep were selected for the experiment and fed with basic diet (CON) and a basal diet supplemented with 80 g/kg DM of Mentha haplocalyx Briq (MHB). The experimental period was 10 weeks with the first 2 weeks as the pre-trial period. The results showed that compared with the CON group, the average daily weight gain of meat sheep in the MHB group increased by 20.1%; the total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration significantly increased (p < 0.05); The thickness of the cecal mucosal layer was significantly reduced (p < 0.01), while the thickness of the colonic mucosal layer was significantly increased (p < 0.05), the length of ileal villi significantly increased (p < 0.01), the thickness of colonic mucosal layer and rectal mucosal muscle layer significantly increased (p < 0.05), and the thickness of cecal mucosal layer significantly decreased (p < 0.05); The serum antioxidant capacity has increased. At the genus level, the addition of MHB changed the composition of rumen and fecal microbiota, increased the relative abundance of Paraprevotella, Alloprevotella, Marinilabilia, Saccharibacteria_genera_incertae_sedis, Subdivision5_genera_incertae_sedis and Ornatilinea in rumen microbiota, and decreased the relative abundance of Blautia (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of Prevotella, Clostridium XlVb and Parasutterella increased in fecal microbiota, while the relative abundance of Blautia and Coprococcus decreased (p < 0.05). There were significant differences in the concentrations of 105, 163, and 54 metabolites in the rumen, serum, and urine between the MHB group and the CON group (p < 0.05). The main metabolic pathways of the differences were pyrimidine metabolism, taurine and taurine metabolism, glyceride metabolism, and pentose phosphate pathway (p < 0.05), which had a significant impact on protein synthesis and energy metabolism. The transcriptome sequencing results showed that differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in immune regulation, energy metabolism, and protein modification. Therefore, adding MHB improved the growth performance of lambs by altering rumen and intestinal microbiota, rumen, serum and urine metabolomics, and transcriptome.

Effects of supplementation with curcuminoids on serum adipokines in critically ill patients: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial

Previous studies have shown a beneficial effect of curcuminoids supplementation on serum concentrations of adipokines; however, there are no published studies that have examined this effect among critically ill patients. We aimed to assess the effects of supplementation with curcuminoids on serum concentrations of leptin and adiponectin in critically ill patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). In this trial, 62 critically ill patients with TBI, aged 18-65 years, were randomly allocated to receive either 500 mg/day curcuminoids (co-administered with 5 mg/day piperine) or matched placebo for 7 days. Patients in both intervention groups received routine treatments for TBI as well as enteral nutrition. Serum concentrations of leptin and adiponectin were measured at baseline and at the end of trial. We found a significant reduction in serum levels of leptin in both curcuminoids (47.1%) and placebo (22.8%) groups; though the magnitude of reduction was greater in the former (p < .05). Supplementation with curcumioinds was not found to alter serum concentrations of adiponectin (p > .05). Supplementation with curcumioinds significantly reduced serum levels of leptin but had no significant effect on adiponectin levels in critically ill patients with TBI. Further clinical trials, particularly those with a long-term period, are needed to confirm our findings.

Recovery of malnutrition in a patient with severe brain injury outcomes: A case report

RATIONALE

Severe brain injury often induces a state of malnutrition due to insufficient caloric and protein input. If left untreated, it will have a negative impact on rehabilitation. Nutritional therapy provides caloric and the nutritional support necessary to cover the daily needs and help contrast hospital infections. Our hypothesis is that integration of natural foods in the daily diet can enhance the recovery of the state of malnutrition and increase rehabilitation outcomes.

PATIENT CONCERNS

We present the case of a young man with traumatic brain injury caused by a car accident. Who underwent tracheostomy and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) procedures, had severe consciousness disorder, was severely malnourished and therefore underweight.

DIAGNOSIS

He was severely underweight, malnourished, with a severe consciousness disorder that necessitated the tracheostomy and the PEG.

INTERVENTIONS

Our approach included caloric implementation of artificial nutrition and the gradual introduction of semi-liquid natural foods administered through PEG.

OUTCOMES

The patient was followed for a year during which the metabolic/nutritional pattern and the blood tests improved, normal weight restored, and consciousness regained.

CONCLUSION

Nutritional intervention integrated with natural foods, has allowed a gradual increase in weight, a better recovery of the lean mass and the stabilization of the metabolic-nutritional framework.Nutritional approach used has contributed to the reduction of recovery times, making the therapeutic path more effective.