Relación entre la desnutrición y la calidad de la alimentación en el ámbito hospitalario

412 p.La prevalencia de malnutrición asociada a la enfermedad es alta en el medio hospitalario. Son muchos los factores causantes, pero uno de los más determinantes es la alimentación, debido a sus características nutricionales, sensoriales e higiénicas. Objetivo: determinar la relación entre la malnutrición y la calidad de la dieta hospitalaria. Material y métodos: se diseñó un estudio transversal en práctica clínica habitual que incluyó pacientes adultos ingresados más de 48 horas, a los que se había prescrito una dieta teóricamente completa. Se realizó el cribado nutricional con MNA, MUST y NRS-2002, que posteriormente fueron comparados con VSG. Se realizó una valoración nutricional que incluyó antropometría, composición corporal, bioquímica y funcionalidad. Se realizó un análisis de la ingesta con un recordatorio de 24 horas y fueron calculadas las necesidades energéticas y proteicas del individuo. El código de dietas fue evaluado cualitativa y cuantitativamente. El consumo real del paciente durante su período de hospitalización fue realizado con la técnica de la doble pesada y comparado con una escala visual. Se recogieron las causas de no consumo y la valoración sensorial del producto. La calidad microbiológica fue evaluada con registros de temperatura, tiempos de distribución y análisis microbiológicos. Finalmente, los resultados fueron comparados con una muestra de valoraciones realizada en un centro con cocina en línea fría. Resultados: Se reclutaron 201 pacientes con una mediana de edad de 72 años y el 51,20 % fueron mujeres. La prevalencia de malnutrición osciló entre el 36 y el 68 % (dependiendo del método empleado). El análisis de sensibilidad y especificidad evidenció buenos resultados en todos los cribados analizados, aunque el MUST ofreció resultados más sólidos. Las dietas analizadas no cubrieron las necesidades nutricionales del 20 % de los pacientes, y del 60 % tras realizarse la ingesta. El paciente malnutrido fue el individuo que realizó una mayor ingesta, aunque en total no se consumió el 50 % del alimento recibido y esto se debió principalmente a la presencia de anorexia (65 %) o por las características sensoriales (26,5 %). La valoración sensorial del producto evidenció que la temperatura percibida por el paciente fue fundamental para incrementar o disminuir la ingesta, especialmente en el paciente en riesgo nutricional. La calidad microbiológica mostró resultados insatisfactorios por temperaturas inadecuadas, tiempos muy prolongados en la distribución y presencia de Salmonella en 12 muestras. La comparativa con la cocina en línea fría demostró ventajas de ésta en el consumo y en la seguridad alimentaria respecto a la cocina tradicional. Conclusiones: Deberían establecerse protocolos para la detección y tratamiento de la malnutrición hospitalaria dada su alta prevalencia. El código de dietas debería ser reevaluado teniendo en cuenta las necesidades y expectativas del paciente. Sería necesario el desarrollo de un programa de seguridad alimentaria acorde a las características del centro y a los problemas detectado

Effects of oral glutamine during abdominal radiotherapy on chronic radiation enteritis: a randomized controlled trial

[Abstract] Objective. Glutamine has been proposed as a preventive treatment for toxicity related to cancer therapies. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of glutamine in the prevention of radiation enteritis. Methods. A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial was performed including 69 patients who were assigned to receive either glutamine (Gln, 30 g/d) or placebo while they were receiving abdominal radiotherapy. Patients were re-evaluated 1 y after completion of treatment. The presence of chronic enteritis was assessed using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group scale. Nutritional status was evaluated using subjective global assessment, weight, and bioimpedance. Relative risk (RR) and its confidence interval (CI) were also calculated. Results. The trial initially included 69 patients (34 Gln, 35 placebo), but 11 patients were lost during follow-up (4 Gln, 7 placebo; P = 0.296). Chronic enteritis was developed by 14 % of patients: Gln 16.7 % versus placebo 11.1% (RR = 1.33; 95 % CI, 0.35–5.03; P = 0.540). Most cases of enteritis were grade I (75 %), with no differences between groups. The stool frequency increased after radiotherapy in patients who received Gln (from 1 ± 1 to 2 ± 2 stools per day, P = 0.012), but remained unchanged with placebo (1 ± 1 stools per day, P = 0.858; difference between groups P = 0.004). There were no differences between the two groups in terms of weight, fat mass, or fat-free mass index, or between patients with enteritis and those without intestinal toxicity. Conclusions. Chronic enteritis is a relatively infrequent phenomenon, and Gln administration during radiotherapy does not exert a protective effect.Castilla y León. Consejería de Sanidad; GRS 326/B/0

Efectos tisulares de la glutamina en pacientes con cáncer de recto tratados con quimorradioterapia preoperatoria

[Abstract] Background: The aim was to evaluate the effects of glutamine on tumor regression and histological damage in patients with rectal patients following chemoradiotherapy previous to surgery. Material and methods: Ten patients with rectal cancer surgically removed after chemoradiotherapy were included, a subgroup of a randomized trial that compared glutamine and placebo in the prevention of acute radiation enteritis. Samples of neoplasm and healthy tissue were evaluated by an expert pathologist searching for signs of tumor regression, muciphages, and signs of radiation-induced damage. Results: There were no differences in the grade of tumor regression with either glutamine or placebo. All patients who received glutamine presented muciphages, compared with 28.6% of the placebo group (p = 0.038). Histological damage was similar in patients receiving glutamine or placebo, and between those with radiation enteritis or without toxicity. Conclusion: Glutamine did not exert a protective effect over chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer or healthy rectal tissue.[Resumen] Introducción: El objetivo fue evaluar los efectos de la administración de glutamina sobre la regresión tumoral y sobre el tejido sano en pacientes con cáncer rectal que recibieron quimiorradioterapia. Material y métodos: Se incluyó 10 pacientes con cáncer rectal operado después de quimiorradioterapia, un subgrupo de un ensayo clínico que comparó glutamina con placebo en la prevención de enteritis aguda. Un patólogo experto analizó las muestras de tumor y tejido sano, buscando datos de regresión tumoral, mucífagos y daño por radiación. Resultados: No hubo diferencias entre placebo y glutamina en el grado de regresión tumoral. Todos los pacientes con glutamina presentaron mucífagos, frente al 28,6% con placebo (p = 0,038). El daño sobre tejido sano fue similar en los pacientes con glutamina y placebo, y entre aquellos con y sin enteritis. Conclusión: La glutamina no ejerce un efecto protector frente a la quimiorradioterapia sobre el tumor o el tejido rectal sano

Efficacy of glutamine in the prevention of acute radiation enteritis: a randomized controlled trial

[Abstract] Background: Acute radiation enteritis is a common adverse effect related to radiotherapy (RT). Glutamine is an immune modulator and antioxidant amino acid that can exert a protective role in patients receiving abdominal or pelvic radiation. The aim of this study was to test if glutamine prevents radiation enteritis during RT. Materials and Methods: Double-blind, randomized, controlled trial including 69 patients who needed RT because of pelvic or abdominal malignancies and received glutamine (30 g/d) or placebo (casein, 30 g/d). Enteritis was evaluated according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group scale, intestinal inflammation using fecal calprotectin, and gut integrity with citrulline. The incidence of enteritis was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier curves, and the hazard ratio (HR) was calculated using Cox regression. Results: Patients were predominantly male (65.2%), with an average (SD) age of 66.6 (9.9) years, with urologic (44.9%), rectal (24.6%), or gynecological cancer (23.1%). More patients developed enteritis with glutamine than with the placebo (55.9% vs 22.0%; P =.002), with an HR of 1.59 (95% confidence interval, 0.62-4.05). There were no differences in final calprotectin levels (glutamine, 57.9 [85.8] mg/kg vs placebo, 54.0 [57.7] mg/kg; P =.182) or the number of patients with values >50 mg/kg (glutamine, 58.1% vs placebo, 54.6%; P =.777). Final citrulline levels were similar between groups (glutamine, 26.31 [10.29] mmol/L vs placebo, 27.69 [12.31] mmol/L; P =.639), without differences in the number of patients with <20 mmol/L (glutamine, 24.1% vs placebo, 25.0%; P =.938). Citrulline concentration was reduced during RT with placebo but remained unchanged with glutamine. Conclusion: Glutamine does not prevent the development of enteritis during RT. © 2013 American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition.Castilla y León. Consejería de Sanidad, SACYL GRS 326/B/0

Targeting fatty acid-binding protein 4 improves pathologic features of aortic stenosis

Aortic stenosis (AS) is a fibrocalcific disease of the aortic valves (AVs). Sex-differences in AS pathophysiology have recently been described. High levels of fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FAPB4) in atherosclerotic plaques have been associated with increased local inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and plaque vulnerability. FABP4 pharmacological blockade has been shown to be effective for the treatment of atherosclerosis by modulating metabolic and inflammatory pathways. We aimed to analyze the sex-specific expression of FABP4 in AS and its potential role as a therapeutic target. A total of 226 patients (61.5% men) with severe AS undergoing surgical AV replacement were recruited. The FABP4 levels were increased in the AVs of AS patients compared to the control subjects, showing greater expression in the fibrocalcific regions. Male AVs exhibited higher levels of FABP4 compared to females, correlating with markers of inflammation (IL-6, Rantes), apoptosis (Bax, caspase-3, Bcl-2), and calcification (IL-8, BMP-2 and BMP-4). VICs derived from AS patients showed the basal expression of FABP4 in vitro. Osteogenic media induced upregulation of intracellular and secreted FABP4 levels in male VICs after 7 days, along with increased levels of inflammatory, pro-apoptotic, and osteogenic markers. Treatment with BMS309403, a specific inhibitor of FABP4, prevented from all of these changes. Thus, we propose FABP4 as a new sex-specific pharmacological therapeutic target in AS.This research was funded by Miguel Servet contract CP13/00221 from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III-FEDER, Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias [PI18/01875; PI21/00280]. M.G. is supported by a Miguel Servet Foundation PhD studentship, E.M.-N. is supported by a Margarita Salas postdoctoral fellowship (ULL-MS-P14), L.M. is supported by a PFIS (FI19/00302) PhD studentship, E.J. (CD19/00251) is supported by a Sara Borrell postdoctoral fellowship

Characterization of the sex-specific pattern of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in aortic stenosis

Objective: We aim to analyze sex-related dierences in angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in aortic valves (AVs) and valve interstitial cells (VICs) from aortic stenosis (AS) patients. Approach and Results: Totally 230 patients (59% men) with severe AS undergoing surgical valve replacement were recruited. The density of total neovessels was higher in AVs from men as compared to women. Both small and medium neovessels were more abundant in men’s AVs. Accordingly, male AVs exhibited higher CD31 and VE-cadherin expressions. The levels of the pro-angiogenic markers, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, VEGF receptor (VEGFR)1, VEGFR2, insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-2 (IGFBP-2), interleukin (IL)-8, chemerin, and fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-7, were increased in AVs from men. Transforming growth factor-β expression was higher in male AVs. The expression of antiangiogenic molecules thrombospondin (Tsp)-1, endostatin, and CD36 was upregulated in male AVs, although the levels of Tsp-2, IL-4, IL-12p70, and chondromodulin-1 were similar between both sexes. The number of lymphatic vessels and the expression of the lymphangiogenic markers Lyve-1 and D2-40 was higher in men’s AV as well as VEGF-C, VEGF-D, and VEGFR3. Multivariate analyses adjusted for confounders further validated the sex-dependent expression of these targets. VICs isolated from men’s AVs secreted higher amounts of the pro-angiogenic factors, VEGF-A, VEGFR1, IGFBP-2, and FGF-7, as well as the pro-lymphangiogenic factors, VEGF-C, VEGF-D, and VEGFR3, than women without changes in antiangiogenic markers. Conclusion: Our data show that aberrant angiogenic and lymphangiogenic cues are over-represented in male AVs. Importantly, the VIC is a relevant source of multiple morphogens involved in angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis likely endowing the AV of men with the predominant calcific AS phenotypes.This work was supported by a Miguel Servet contract (CP13/00221) and by Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias (PI18/01875; PI21/00280) from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III - FEDER. LM was supported by a PFIS Ph.D. studentship (FI19/00302). EJ was supported by a Sara Borrell postdoctoral fellowship (CD19/00251). EM-N was supported by a Margarita Salas postdoctoral fellowship (ULL-MS-P14). MG was supported by a Miguel Servet Foundation Ph.D. studentship

Sex-dependent expression of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in aortic stenosis

Background: Accumulating evidence suggest the existence of sex-related differences in the pathogenesis of aortic stenosis (AS) with inflammation, oxidative stress, fibrosis and calcification being over-represented in men. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is expressed in a myriad of tissues and cell types, and it is associated with acute and chronic pathological processes comprising inflammation, fibrosis or calcification. Sex-dependent signatures have been evidenced for NGAL which expression has been associated predominantly in males to metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. We aimed to analyse sex-related differences of NGAL in AS and its role in the inflammatory and fibrocalcific progression of AS. Methods and results: 220 (60.45% men) patients with severe AS elective for surgical aortic valve (AV) replacement were recruited. Immunohistochemistry revealed higher expression of NGAL in calcific areas of AVs and that was validated by qPCR in in 65 (60% men) donors. Valve interstitial cells (VICs) were a source of NGAL in these samples. Proteome profiler analyses evidenced higher expression of NGAL in men compared to women, and that was further validated by ELISA. NGAL expression in the AV was correlated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and osteogenic markers, as well as calcium score. The expression of NGAL, both intracellular and secreted (sNGAL), was significantly deregulated only in calcifying male-derived VICs. Depletion of intracellular NGAL in calcifying male-derived VICs was associated with pro-inflammatory profiles, dysbalanced matrix remodelling and pro-osteogenic profiles. Conversely, exogenous NGAL mediated inflammatory and dysbalanced matrix remodelling in calcifying VICs, and all that was prevented by the pharmacological blockade of NGAL. Conclusions: Owing to the over-expression of NGAL, the AV from men may be endowed with higher expression of inflammatory, oxidative stress, matrix remodelling and osteogenic markers supporting the progression of calcific AS phenotypes. The expression of NGAL in the VIC emerges as a potential therapeutic checkpoint, with its effects being potentially reverted by the pharmacological blockade of extracellular NGAL.This research was funded by Miguel Servet contract CP13/00221 from Instituto de Salud Carlos III-FEDER, Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias [PI18/01875; PI21/00280]. M.G. is supported by a Miguel Servet Foundation PhD studentship, E.M.-N is supported by a Margarita Salas postdoctoral fellowship (ULL-MS-P14), L.M. is supported by a PFIS (FI19/00302) PhD studentship, E.J. (CD19/00251) is supported by a Sara Borrell postdoctoral fellowship

A Differential Signature of Circulating miRNAs and Cytokines Between COVID-19 and Community-Acquired Pneumonia Uncovers Novel Physiopathological Mechanisms of COVID-19

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia is a life-threatening infectious disease, especially for elderly patients with multiple comorbidities. Despite enormous efforts to understand its underlying etiopathogenic mechanisms, most of them remain elusive. In this study, we compared differential plasma miRNAs and cytokines profiles between COVID-19 and other community-acquired pneumonias (CAP). A first screening and subsequent validation assays in an independent cohort of patients revealed a signature of 15 dysregulated miRNAs between COVID-19 and CAP patients. Additionally, multivariate analysis displayed a combination of 4 miRNAs (miR-106b-5p, miR-221-3p, miR-25-3p and miR-30a-5p) that significantly discriminated between both pathologies. Search for targets of these miRNAs, combined with plasma protein measurements, identified a differential cytokine signature between COVID-19 and CAP that included EGFR, CXCL12 and IL-10. Significant differences were also detected in plasma levels of CXCL12, IL-17, TIMP-2 and IL-21R between mild and severe COVID-19 patients. These findings provide new insights into the etiopathological mechanisms underlying COVID-19This study was funded by Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness (MINECO) and Instituto de Salud Carlos III (grant nos. RD16/0011/0012 and PI18/0371 to IG-Á, grant no. PI19/00549 to AA, and grant no. PDI-2020-120412RB-I00 to FSM) and co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund. The study was also funded by ”La Caixa Banking Foundation” (grant no. HR17-00016 to FSM), REACT-UE INMUNOVACTER-CM from Comunidad de Madrid, and ”Fondos Supera COVID19” by Banco de Santander and CRUE. The work of ERV has been funded by a Rio-Hortega grant from the Ministerio de Economı́a y Competitividad (grant no. CM19/00149 Instituto de Salud Carlos III) and co-funded by The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) “A way to make Europe

The registry of home artificial nutrition and ambulatory of the Spanish society of parenteral and enteral nutrition: Swot analysis

Objetivo: Evidenciar mediante un análisis DAFO-R realizado por consenso de expertos las características más acuciantes del registro de Nutrición Artificial Domiciliaria y Ambulatoria. Material y método: Análisis DAFO-R por consenso de expertos. Se solicitó la participación de los miembros del grupo NADYA activos en los últimos 5 años bajo la premisa de estructurar el DAFO-R sobre las características del registro NADYA desde su inicio. Resultados: Han participado 18 expertos de diferentes hospitales de la geografía española. El análisis interno se inclina positivamente presentando al registro con recursos importantes. En el análisis externo no son numerosas las amenazas, hay factores de gran potencia, “la voluntariedad del registro” y la “dependencia externa de financiación”. Las oportunidades identificadas son importantes. Las recomendaciones se dirigen a la estabilización del sistema disminuyendo las amenazas como foco principal de las estrategias a desarrollar al mismo tiempo que se debe potenciar los puntos identificados en oportunidades y fortalezas. Conclusiones: El registro NADYA se muestra en el análisis con gran potencialidad de mejora. Las recomendaciones propuestas deberán estructurarse para continuar la tendencia de desarrollo y perfeccionamiento de la calidad que ha caracterizado al registro NADYA desde su inicio.Objective: To evidence by means of a SWOT-R analysis performed by an expert consensus the most worrying characteristics of the register on Home-based and Outpatient Artificial Nutrition. Material and methods: SWOT-R analysis with expert consensus. We requested the participation of the active members of the NADYA group within the last 5 years with the premise of structuring the SWOT-R based on the characteristics of the NADYA registry from its beginning. Results: 18 experts from hospitals all over Spain have participated. The internal analysis seems to be positive, presenting the registry as having important resources. The external analysis did not show a great number of threats, there are very potent factors, “the voluntariness” of the registry and the “dependence on external financing”. The opportunities identified are important. The recommendations are aimed at stabilizing the system by decreasing the threats as one of the main focus of the strategies to develop as well as promoting the items identified as opportunities and strengths. Conclusions: The analysis shows that the NADYA register shows a big potentiality for improvement. The proposed recommendations should be structured in order to stay on the track of development and quality improvement that has characterized the NADYA register from the beginnin