A Randomized Clinical Trial with Oral Immunonutrition (ω3-Enhanced Formula vs. Arginine-Enhanced Formula) in Ambulatory Head and Neck Cancer Patients

Vol. 49, No. 2, 2005

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Original Paper

A Randomized Clinical Trial with Oral Immunonutrition (3-Enhanced Formula vs. Arginine-Enhanced Formula) in Ambulatory Head and Neck Cancer Patients
D.A. de Luis^a, O. Izaola^a, R. Aller^b, L. Cuellar^a, M.C. Terroba^a

^aInstitute of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Medicine School and Unit of Investigation, Hospital Rio Hortega and
^bHospital Clinico, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain

Address of Corresponding Author

Ann Nutr Metab 2005;49:95-99 (DOI: 10.1159/000084742)

Key Words

Head and neck cancer
Immunonutrition

Abstract

Objective: The aim of our study was to investigate whether oral ambulatory nutrition of head and neck cancer patients, using an omega 3 fatty acid-enhanced diet (low ratio omega 6/ omega 3 fatty acids) versus an arginine-enhanced diet, could improve nutritional variables as well as clinical outcome, postoperative infectious and wound complications. Research Methods: A population of 73 ambulatory postsurgical patients with oral and laryngeal cancer were enrolled. At discharge from hospital the postsurgical head and neck cancer patients were asked to consume two units per day of either a specially designed omega 3 fatty acid-enhanced supplement (group 1) or an arginine-enhanced supplement (group 2) for a 12-week period. Results: No significant intergroup differences in the trend of the three serum proteins and lymphocytes were detected. Differences were detected in weight (group 1: 65.5 ± 11.5 kg vs. 70.4 ± 11.1 kg; p < 0.05) with a significant increase in fat mass in group 1 (15.4 ± 6.6 vs. 18.1 ± 8.4 kg; p < 0.05) and in tricipital skinfold. The postoperative infectious complications were similar in both groups (0 in group 1 and 8.57% in group 2; nonsignificant). No local complications were detected in the surgical wound. Gastrointestinal tolerance (diarrhea and vomiting episodes) of both formulas was good. Conclusions: At the dose taken, the omega 3-enhanced formula improved fat mass and proteins in ambulatory postoperative head and neck cancer patients. The arginine-enhanced formula improved proteins. Further studies are required to examine the potential role of immune-enhanced supplements.

Author Contacts

Dr. D.A. de Luis, Professor Associated of Clinical Nutrition
Head of Institute of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Medicine School
Valladolid University, C/Los perales 16. (Urb Las Aceñas)
Simancas, ES-47130 Valladolid (Spain)
Tel. +34 983 420 400, Fax +34 983 331 566, E-Mail dadluis@yahoo.es

Article Information

Received: July 27, 2004
Accepted: November 9, 2004
Published online: March 29, 2005
Number of Print Pages : 5
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 4, Number of References : 22

Medline Abstract (ID 15802904)

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