Perfil bioquímico nutricional en un grupo de pacientes con cáncer de cabeza y cuello

摘要

The aim of the study was to evaluate the nutritional status of 17 patients suffering from head and neck cancer, who attended Angel Roffo Institute of Oncology, at the beginning of the specific treatment, through the use of biochemical parameters. Blood samples were collected from fasting patients. Specific serum protein fractions transthyretin (TTR), transferrin (Transf), C3 and C4 complement fractions (C3c,C4c); ceruloplasmin (Cp), haptoglobin (Hp) and C-reactive protein (RCP) were measured by single radial immunodiffusion technique on agar gel layers (Binding Site, UK; Diffu-Plate, Biocientífica SA, Argentina). The level of IL-4 was determined by Elisa method and total antioxidant status (TAS) by Randox Kit (UK). On 58% of patients (n=10) the fatty acid profile was analyzed. Results expressed as X±SD were compared with reference values performed in a group of healthy individuals. Data showed lower TTR, C3c, Transferrin and IL-4 together with higher Cp and Haptoglobin sera levels than reference values. The results pointed out to a depressed nutritional status and inflammation. Also, diminishment in the total antioxidant status and in essential fatty acids ω3 and ω6 was observed. These findings showed the importance of an early and periodic nutritional evaluation that could help to perform an adequate nutritional support concomitant with the specific treatment.