Effects of an immuno-enhanced diet containing antioxidants in esophageal cancer surgery following neoadjuvant therapy

• Published in: Diseases of the esophagus 2012-02, Vol.25 (2), p.137-145
• Main Authors: Aiko, S., Kumano, I., Yamanaka, N., Tsujimoto, H., Takahata, R., Maehara, T.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; antioxidant; Antioxidants - therapeutic use; Chemoradiotherapy, Adjuvant - adverse effects; enteral nutrition; Enteral Nutrition - methods; esophageal cancer; Esophageal Neoplasms - diet therapy; Esophageal Neoplasms - surgery; Esophageal Neoplasms - therapy; Female; Food, Formulated; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neoadjuvant Therapy; Oxidative Stress; Postoperative Complications; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1120-8694; 1442-2050
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-2050.2011.01221.x

SUMMARY Neoadjuvant therapy‐induced immunological deterioration may be a key factor in postoperative morbidity in patients with esophageal cancer. This study aimed to determine the effects of perioperative feeding with an immuno‐enhanced diet on immune competence in patients treated with neoadjuvant therapy followed by surgery. Because an immuno‐enhanced diet that contained several antioxidants was used, perioperative oxidative stress and the effects of the immuno‐enhanced diet on this stress were also investigated. Of 39 patients with esophageal cancer who underwent similar surgical procedures, 26 patients who received chemotherapy or chemoradiation therapy before surgery were randomly divided into two groups: group 1 (n= 14) was given an immuno‐enhanced diet for 5 days before surgery, and group 2 (n= 12) received no enteral feeding products before surgery. Group 3 (n= 13) consisted of patients that did not receive neoadjuvant therapy and received no enteral feeding products before surgery. Several markers for coagulation and fibrinolysis were determined and immunological assessments were performed for each patient. To measure reactive oxygen metabolites and the total antioxidant capacity, diacron‐reactive oxygen metabolites (d‐ROMs) and OXY‐adsorbent tests were performed using a free radical elective evaluator. Significant depression in lymphocyte numbers was observed in groups 1 and 2 before and early after surgery as compared to group 3. Numbers of B cells, CD4/CD8 ratio, and phytohemagglutinin‐induced lymphocyte transformation tests were also significantly decreased in groups 1 and 2 on postoperative day 1. Fibrin and fibrinogen degradation products were significantly elevated in group 2 compared to group 1. d‐ROMs and OXY‐adsorbent test values were elevated before surgery and were decreased transiently early after surgery. Compared to groups 2 and 3, d‐ROMs values were significantly lower in group 1 patients throughout the postoperative period, while OXY‐adsorbent test values were significantly higher in group 2 patients. Oxidative index was significantly suppressed in group 1 compared to group 3. No significant intergroup differences were observed with regard to morbidity after surgery. Although the baseline levels of immunological function might have been different because of less‐advanced cancer stages in group 3, neoadjuvant therapy significantly affected several immunological parameters. Preoperative administration of an immuno‐enhanced diet did