Objective?To study the impact of preoperative enteral immune nutrition on patients with malignant gastrointestinal tumors. Methods?82 patients with malignant gastrointestinal tumors were divided equally into 2 groups:enteral nutrition group (EN) and normal diet group (Control). Enteral Nutritional Emulsion (TPF-T) served as nasogastically-fed liquid diet for the patients in EN group over a period of 7 days prior to surgery. Normal diet was given to the patients in control group under the same condition as those in EN group in terms of calories and nitrogen contents. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to determine the quantity of serum albumin (ALB), transferrin protein (TRF), pre-albumin (PA) and retinol binding protein (RBP). Flow cytometry (FCM) was performed to determine T cell subsets. Postoperative complications, resumption of peristalsis, length of hospital stay, and nutritional costs were also recorded. Results?TRF, PA and RBP increased significantly in the patients in EN group compared with those in control group (P<0.05). The patients in EN group had significantly higher proportions of CD3+, CD4+/CD8+ higher than those of control (P<0.05). No serious complications (eg. death or gastrointestinal fistula) were found in the patients. The total nutritional cost for the patients in EN group was similar to that of the controls (P>0.05). The patients in EN group had less postoperative complications, quicker resumption of peristalsis, shorter hospital stay and lower level of postoperative nutrition cost compared with those of controls (P<0.05). Conclusion?Enteral nutrition support can improve the nutritional status and immunity of patients with malignant gastrointestinal tumors, which has both pre-operative and post-operative benefits for the patients.
