Enteral feeding enriched with carotenoids normalizes the carotenoid status and reduces oxidative stress in long-term enterally fed patients.
OBJECTIVE
Circulating carotenoid levels decrease progressively in patients receiving long-term enteral tube feeding with carotenoid-free formulas. Low dietary intake and low blood levels of carotenoids are associated with a higher risk of morbidity and mortality from chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a low dose carotenoid mixture (3-mg/1500kcal) for 3 months on serum carotenoid levels and oxidative stress in patients receiving long-term enteral nutrition as the sole source of nutrition.


METHODS
This randomized, double blind, controlled study compared patients receiving enteral nutrition with carotenoids (N=26) and without carotenoids (control group; N=25).


RESULTS
Patients on long-term enteral nutrition had low baseline serum carotenoid levels. Three months of enteral feeding enriched with carotenoids significantly (P<0.01) increased serum carotenoid levels compared with the control group. Oxidative stress as measured by NF-kappaB levels was decreased at 3 months compared with the control group (P<0.05). No significant changes in MDA levels were observed during the study period in either group.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated that enteral nutrition containing small amounts of carotenoids (3-mg/1500kcal) in patients requiring long-term enteral feeding normalizes serum carotenoid levels to the lower end of the range found in age-matched controls. The NF-kappaB data indicate a reduction in oxidative stress in these patients. Therefore, the use of formulas containing a mixture of carotenoids should be recommended for long-term enteral nutrition.
Vaisman
Nachum
N
Unit of Clinical Nutrition, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weizmann Street, Tel-Aviv, 64239, Israel.
Haenen
Guido R M M
GR
Zaruk
Yahalomit
Y
Verduyn
Carin
C
Bindels
Jacques G
JG
Verlaan
Sjors
S
Meijer
Erwin P
EP
D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood; D016328:NF-kappa B; D009752:Nutritional Status; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors
D000975:Antioxidants; D016328:NF-kappa B; D002338:Carotenoids; D008315:Malondialdehyde