Peptide-Based Enteral Nutrition for Critically Ill Patients

This review discusses the clinical beneficial effects of peptide-based enteral nutrition (EN) for critically ill patients, especially those with gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction. The GI dysfunction is very common in critically ill patients and always leads to intolerance of enteral feeding. Experimental and clinical studies suggest that peptide-based EN can be easily digested and absorbed by the GI tract which improving the feeding intolerance and provide better nutritional effects for critically ill patients. In addition, peptide-based EN may also have anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, and immune-modulation effects and can facilitate muscle protein synthesis to improve muscle weakness which is commonly seen in critically ill patients. Peptide-based EN may have both nutritional and nonnutritional beneficial effects for critically ill patients. Further, large prospective randomized clinical trials should to be done to make the definite results.