Clinical nutrition : official journal of the European Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of selenium supplementation on biochemical markers and outcome in critically ill patients.
This study aimed to assess the effect of high dose selenium (Se) supplementation on Se status in blood, oxidative stress, thyroid function and possible effects on requirement for renal replacement therapy (RRT) in severely septic patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). ⋯ Although high dose Se supplementation increased plasma Se and GSH-Px activity, it did not reduce oxidative damage or the requirement for RRT. Se levels in blood are influenced by redistribution and severity of illness and therefore should be interpreted with caution.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The effect of oral glutamine on 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin-induced mucositis/stomatitis assessed by intestinal permeability test.
Systemic chemotherapy may damage gastrointestinal epithelium. Mucositis is associated with increased intestinal permeability (IP). It is known that IP test with chromium 51-ethylene diaminetetra-acetate (51Cr-EDTA) is a useful tool to assess the mucositis. Oral glutamine supplements (OGS) may have a role in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced mucositis/stomatitis. The aim of this study was to characterize the relationship between the urinary excretion of 51Cr-EDTA and the severity of mucositis, and the effect of OGS on 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (FU/LV)-induced mucositis/stomatitis. ⋯ The IP test may be a useful tool in the evaluation of mucositis/stomatitis. OGS may exert a protective effect on FU/LV-induced mucositis/stomatitis. Further studies, however, will be necessary to define the role of glutamine supplementation in FU/LV-induced mucositis/stomatitis.
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Two different ways of thinking pervaded the history of science: rationalism and empiricism. In theory, these two paradigms are not necessarily in conflict. In practice, there has always been tension between them. The coming of evidence-based medicine put empiricism in a privileged position, but empiricism without a rationalistic guide could even be usefulness. The aim of this work is to present the tension between the rational reasons to administer immunonutrients to patients with sepsis and the controversial empirical evidence stemming from clinical trials. ⋯ Future research projects involving immunonutrients should be based on robust knowledge of basic mechanisms of action to be properly addressed in clinical trials.