title: Effect of parenteral nutrition with L-arginine supplementation on postoperative immune function in patients with colorectal cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the effects of parenteral nutrition (PN) supplemented with L-arginine on the immune function of patients with colorectal cancer after operation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty randomly chosen patients with colorectal cancer were enrolled in this study, who received either standard PN or PN supplemented with 20 g/d L-arginine for 7 d after surgical removal of the tumors. Tests of the immune function (CD3(+), CD4(+), CD8(+), CD4(+)/CD8(+), interleukin-2R, natural killer cells, C3, C4, CH50, IgA, IgM, IgG) were performed preoperatively and at different time periods postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data analysis with ANOVA demonstrated immune suppression in the patients before operation, and the condition was improved (as evidenced by increased CD4(+),CD4(+)/CD8(+), natural killer cells and interleukin-2R levels) in L-arginine group as compared with the results in the control group at days 4 and 7 (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Arginine can improve the immune function in patients with colorectal cancer after operation and enhance PN effect.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
authors.forename: Jing-Xiang
authors.initials: JX
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: San-Hua
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Qing
authors.forename: Xiang-Cheng
authors.initials: XC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: De-Lin
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Qi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001120:Arginine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition; D011184:Postoperative Period
chemical_list: D001120:Arginine