Effect of early postoperative enteral immunonutrition in patientswith gastric cancer

Objectives:To evaluate the role of early postoperative enteral immunonutrition on host nutritional status, immune and inflammatory responses. Methods:Ninety six patients with gastric cancer were randomized to receive either an immune enhancing enteral diet or an isocaloric, isonitrogenous control diet for 7 days. Enteral feeding was initiated 24 hours after surgery. Host immunity was evaluated by IgG、IgM、IgA、CD4、CD8、CD4/CD8, and inflammatory response was reflected by IL-1α、IL-2、IL-6、IL-10、TNF-α. Total protein, albumin, prealbumin,transferrin and nitrogen balance were determined as nutritional indicators. Results:After the study, prealbumin, IgA, CD4, and CD4/CD8 levels were significantly higher in study group than in control group. IL-6, TNF-α concentrations were significantly lower in study group than in control group. Conclusions:Postoperative administration of immunonutrition in patients with gastric cancer can positively modulate postoperative immunosuppressive and inflammatory responses.