Synergistic improvement effect of marine bioactive peptides on nutritional status in cancer patients during chemotherapy

Abstract

Objective To explore the effect of marine bioactive peptides (MBP) combined with routine oral nutritional supplementation (ONS) on nutritional status in cancer patients, and to evaluate the effectiveness of nutritional support therapy. Methods A clinical randomized controlled trial was conducted on 108 patients with digestive tumors admitted in Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University and the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from September to November 2021. They were randomly divided into control group, ONS group and ONS+MBP group. All patients from the 3 groups received nutrition consultation and diet guidance to suggest balanced diet. ONS alone or combined with 18 g/d MBP were given to the patients of the ONS group and ONS+MBP group. The main observation indexes at admission and 8 weeks after intervention included NRS2002 score, PG-SGA score, body weight, body mass index (BMI), muscle mass, fat mass, upper arm muscle circumference, calf circumference, grip strength, and the secondary observation indexes included waist circumference, hip circumference, serum white blood cell count, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, albumin and total protein level. Results There were 36 patients from the control group, 33 from the ONS group and 30 from the ONS+MBP group completing the follow-up. No statistical differences were observed in the general clinical data among the 3 groups (P>0.05). After 8 weeks' follow-up, NRS2002 and PG-SGA scores were increased, but body weight, BMI, fat mass, upper arm muscle circumference, calf circumference, waist circumference, hip circumference, grip strength and albumin level were decreased in the control group. The body weight, BMI, muscle mass, fat mass, calf circumference, waist circumference, hip circumference, grip strength, serum albumin and total protein levels at 8 weeks after intervention were significantly increased in the ONS group and ONS+MBP group than the levels at admission and those of the control group after 8 weeks' follow-up. The ONS+MBP group also had obviously elevated body weight, BMI, muscle mass, fat mass, serum albumin and total protein levels and calf circumference when compared with those at admission. The patients of the ONS+MBP group showed significant increase in protein intake and notable decrease in PG-SGA score at 8 weeks (P < 0.05). Conclusion Cancer patients have a high risk for malnutrition, and intervention of ONS combined with MAP may have positive effects on improving their quality of life and extend their lives.

Keywords

• marine bioactive peptide
• malignant tumor
• oral nutritional supplement
• nutritional status