Background: The long-term effect of nutrition on cardiac function remains to be elucidated. One possible link is the newly discovered gastric hormone ghrelin, which has been reported to be cardioprotective. Aim: The present study examined whether total enteral nutrition (TEN) and total parenteral nutrition (TPN) differ in their modulation of ghrelin production and their effects on cardiac function after ischemia/reperfusion injury. Methods: Rats received isocaloric parenteral or enteral nutrition through implanted vascular catheters or gastrostomy tubes. TEN was administered in a conventional (TEN-C) or immunonutrition (TEN-I) form. After 7 days, serum ghrelin levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and myocardial function was assessed using the Langendorff isolated heart technique. Results: TEN-I animals had significantly higher plasma ghrelin levels than the other groups. After ischemia/reperfusion injury, left ventricular developed pressure decreased in animals receiving TPN when compared to animals receiving TEN-I. Animals receiving TPN also had significant reductions in their maximal rates of increase and decrease in left ventricular pressure when compared to animals receiving TEN-I (unpaired t test, p < 0.05). Conclusion: TEN-I increases serum levels of ghrelin, which protects cardiac function after ischemic/reperfusion injury. Because TEN-I more effectively protects cardiac function, we recommend it for long-term nutritional support.

Keywords:
Ghrelin, Parenteral nutrition, Enteral nutrition, Ischemia/reperfusion injury
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© 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel
2008
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