<<snip>>
The present results indicated that the in vivo membrane damage induced by
oxidative stress may be closely related to the onset of these disorders.
<<snip>>

Kurume Med J. 2004;51(1):83-90.  Related Articles, Links  

Efficacy of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid enriched enteral nutrient solution
in relieving oxidative stress in patients with severe psychophysiologic
disorders.

Tanaka Y, Mizote H, Inada H, Motohiro T, Kobayashi H, Fukahori S, So H, Otani
M, Nakamizo H, Asagiri K, Akiyoshi K, Tsuru T, Hikida S.

Department of Pediatric Surgery, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67
Asahi-machi, Kurume 830-0011, Japan. yoshi456@med.kurume-u.ac.jp

It is not unusual for patients with severe motor and intellectual disabilities
to present with eating and swallowing disorders, and such patients often
require long term enteral nutrition. These patients tend to receive all their
nutrients in the form of a single nutrient solution that is administered over a
long period, and there are concerns about the impact of the composition of
these nutrient formulas on patient health. Therefore, it is very important that
adequate care be taken when selecting a nutrient formula for patients of this
type. In the present study we administered two types of enteral nutrient
solutions and examined the effect of the differences in nutrient composition on
the degree of oxidative stress experienced by human patients. Subjects were 5
patients (mean age: 27.2 years; male/female ratio: 4:1) with severe motor and
intellectual disabilities who were incapable of oral feeding, and who were
receiving long term enteral nutrition. The subjects were administered a
standard elemental diet for 2 months, and this was followed by administration
of an n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid enriched enteral nutrient solution for
three months. Results showed that the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid enriched
diet improved serum concentrations of trace elements, protein synthesis, and
the balance between n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and n-3 polyunsaturated
fatty acids, which are essential fatty acids. At the same time oxidative stress
was reduced, and serum IgE levels declined significantly. Patients with severe
psychophysiological disorders often suffer from repeated bouts of pneumonia due
to immune system suppression, and there are reports that such patients are
subject to increased allergic diathesis. The present results indicated that the
in vivo membrane damage induced by oxidative stress may be closely related to
the onset of these disorders. The results also suggested that in addition to
attaining an adequate understanding of the effect of each of the various
nutrients in enteral nutrient formulas, it will also be important to consider
not only trace elements but also fatty acid composition in the nutritional
management of patients with such disorders.

PMID: 15150903 [PubMed - in process]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
------

Who loves ya.
Tom