[Effect of Supportan on nutritional status and immune function of late-staged gastric cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of Supportan, an enteral nutrition (EN) specific for tumor patients, on the nutritional status and immune function of late-staged gastric cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.


METHODS
Sixty-six late-staged gastric cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy were randomly divided into EN group (n=33) and control group (n=33). During chemotherapy, the patients in EN group received Supportan and the patients in the control group received basic diet. On the 14th day before chemotherapy and after chemotherapy, nutritional status and cell immune indicators were evaluated.


RESULTS
As for nutrition indicators, there were no significant differences in EN group before and after chemotherapy (P > 0.05). Total protein, hemoglobin, prealbumin and transferrin significantly decreased after chemotherapy compared with those before chemotherapy in the control group (P< 0.01). The levels of CD4(+), CD8(+) T cells and CD4/CD8 were significantly increased, and NK cells, serum levels of IL-1, IL-6 were significantly decreased after chemotherapy in EN group (P< 0.01). The levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha were significantly higher after chemotherapy than those before chemotherapy in the control group(P< 0.01). Curative effects of immune nutrition in EN group were superior to that in the control group, however, the differences were not statistically significant. The incidences of nausea, vomiting and marrow inhibition in Supportan group was lower compared with those in the control group, but with no significant difference.


CONCLUSIONS
Supportan can prevent malnutrition of the late-staged gastric cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, and improve immune function and alleviate adverse effects of chemotherapy.
Zhong
Hai-jun
HJ
Department of Chemotherapy, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou 310022, China. DRZHJ@yahoo.com.cn
Ying
Jie-er
JE
Ma
Sheng-lin
SL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy / Q000379:methods; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous