Effects of enteral nutrition on pro-inflammatory factors and intestinal barrier function in patients with acute severe pancreatitis

The main objective of this study was to explore the effect of enteral nutrition on serum pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor, and intestinal barrier function in patients with acute severe pancreatitis. A total number of 140 patients were recruited and divided randomly into parenteral nutrition (PN) and enteral nutrition (EN) groups. They received parenteral nutrition and enteral nutrition, respectively. The levels of serum total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB) in peripheral blood were detected in the two groups. Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) in the two groups were comparatively analyzed. The levels of pro-inflammatory factors (IL-1 beta, IL-6, and TNF alpha) for both groups were same, and there was no significant difference (P < 0.05) between the two groups before treatment. However, after treatment, a significant reduction was found in EN group which were 31.16 +/- 1.95, 36.09 +/- 9.44, and 29.21 +/- 3.85 ng/L, respectively, showing significant lower values as compared to PN group. The levels of TP and ALB in EN group were 64.46 +/- 3.77 and 27.19 +/- 1.56 g/L, respectively, after treatment, showing significantly (P < 0.05) elevated values than PN group. The incidence rates of pancreatic necrosis and pancreatic abscess in EN group were 28.57% and 11.43%, respectively, which were found to be lower significantly than PN group. Enteral nutrition is found to be more effective than parenteral nutrition in the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis, which can significantly reduce the level of pro-inflammatory factors as well as the degree of systemic inflammatory response and protect the intestinal barrier function; thus, this study is worthy for awareness and application in clinical practice.