Nutritional composition

Abstract: The present invention provides an enteral nutritional formulation that meets the nutrient requirements of intensive care patients who may have compromised absorption capacity. The present invention meets the unique nutrient needs of the patient that are generated due to tissue repair and healing requirements. To this end, in an embodiment the present invention provides a method for providing nutritional support to intensive care patients comprising the steps of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising: a protein source; a carbohydrate source; and a lipid source including a source of medium chain triglycerides, a source of omega-3 fatty acids, and a source of omega-6 fatty acids.

Description: This invention relates to a nutritional composition for providing nutritional support to an intensive care patient. Intensive care patients describe a broad population of patients who may suffer from a variety of diseases or injuries. These patients, however, exhibit some similar requirements. For example, patients suffering from traumatic injury, burns, post-surgery, and some disease states have a significant need for increase nutrients and energy as compared to individuals who are not challenged by such metabolic stress. Indeed, non-essential nutrients and substances that a body typically can synthesize in adequate supply may become limiting. Additionally, adsorption of nutrients from the gut can be compromised even when no direct injury to the gastrointestinal system exists. Many intensive care patients are fed either with parenteral formulations or enteral formulations to replace or supplement a typical diet. For example, in 1991, of an estimated 2.4 million trauma patients in the United States, 13% required nutrition support beyond food. Of these patients, 62% were supported using enteral nutrition; 70% by tube-feeding and 30% by oral supplements. The remaining 38% were initially fed parenterally but then progress to tube-feeding. Similarly, of about 106000 burn patients in the United States in 1991, about 20% required nutritional support. Of this group, about 95% were supported on enteral nutrition; 70% by tube-feeding and 30% by oral supplements. Numerous enteral formulations have been targeted for trauma and burn patients. These products include Mead-Johnson's Traumacal®, Sandoz's Impact®, Abbott Laboratories' Alitraq®; and McGaw's Immun-Aid®. Although these products are used in an attempt to treat and provide nutritional support for the patients, not all the needs of intensive care patients are met. Therefore a need exists for an enteral nutritional composition which meets the nutrient requirements of intensive care patients who may have altered nutritional requirements and compromised absorptive capacity. Accordingly, in one aspect, this invention provides use of a protein source which includes a protein hydrolysate and free amino acids in which less than 35% by weight of the protein source has a chain length of more than five amino acids, in the preparation of a nutritional composition for providing nutritional support to an intensive care patient; the protein source providing 22% to 28% of the total calories of the nutritional composition. The nutritional composition meets the unique nutrient requirements of intensive care patients generated due to tissue repair and healing despite that that these patients may have compromised absorptive capacity. The composition preferably includes a protein source; a carbohydrate source; and a lipid source. The protein source is produced with the use of pancreatic enzymes, resulting in a unique peptide profile. The protein source contains a protein hydrolysate and free amino acids; the protein hydrolysate includes less than 35%, by weight, peptides having a chain length of more than five amino acids. In another embodiment, a nutritional support to a patient is provided that utilizes a composition containing 80% to 85% of protein hydrolysate and approximately 15% to 20% of free amino acids. Preferably, the caloric density of the composition is at least 1.3 Kcal/ml. In an embodiment, the protein hydrolysate includes less than 35% by weight peptides having a chain length of more than five amino acids. In yet another embodiment, the free amino acids of the composition comprise less than 20% by weight of the protein source. In an embodiment, the protein source comprises less than 20% by weight peptides having a chain length of more than nine amino acids. In another embodiment, the cysteine content of the protein source is at least 0.25% of the total calories. The composition comprises a protein source containing less than 20% peptides, by weight, having a chain length of more than nine amino acids. If desired the composition can include sources of: arginine; proline; and/or cysteine. Sufficient cysteine is included to replenish the intracellular glutathione of the treated patient. Preferably, the composition contains at least 0.25% of its total calories from cysteine. An advantage of the present invention is that it provides an enteral nutritional formulation that is designed to optimize nutrient absorption and wound healing in trauma patients. Moreover, an advantage of the present invention is to provide a composition having a high protein content, a high lipid content, and a high caloric density to meet protein and energy needs. Furthermore, an advantage of the present invention is to provide a composition that has reduced water and carbohydrate content, reducing the risk of diarrhea due to carbohydrate intolerance, hyperglycemia, over hydration, and the like. Still further, an advantage of the present invention is that nutrient malabsorption is reduced by the absence of whole proteins and by the use of protein hydrolysate, free amino acids and medium chain triglycerides in the enteral formulation of the present invention. Additionally, an advantage of the present invention is that it is a ready-to-use formulation, and not a powder that requires mixing before use, reducing the risk of bacterial contamination during the mixing process. Moreover, pursuant to the present invention, the use of certain components promotes healing and tissue repair/cell division. It is also an advantage of the present invention that inflammatory reactions are minimized. Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it utilizes a composition containing a unique peptide profile. The peptide profile promotes improved tolerance, better absorption, superior nitrogen utilization and retention, more rapid repletion of gut integrity and a reduced length of stay for the patient. Moreover, another advantage of the present invention is that it utilizes a protein hydrolysate that is produced with pancreatic enzymes, as opposed to microbial enzymes. Such pancreatic-derived peptides are more physiological than those produced with microbial enzymes. Still further, an advantage of the present invention is that it provides an enteral product designed for intensive care patients that contains a high level of dipeptides and tripeptides. Peptide diets containing a high level of such peptides provides a multitude of benefits to the patient. Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments. The present invention provides enteral formulations specifically designed for use with intensive care patients. For example, the present invention can be utilized to treat trauma, burn and post-surgery patients. Pursuant to the present invention, an enteral formulation is provided that is designed to optimize nutrient absorption and wound healing in trauma patients. The enteral formulation of the present invention meets the nutrient requirements of such patients with compromised absorptive capacity. The formulation also meets nutrient needs unique to tissue repair and healing of the patients. Generally, pursuant to the present invention, a ready-to-use enteral formulation is provided. The formulation can provide the total nutritional requirements of the intensive care patient or can act as a supplement. The product is designed preferably to be fed to the patient by tube. The product can be provided, for example, in cans or a spike and hang bag. The product is ready to use and does not require reconstitution or mixing prior to use. In a preferred embodiment, the enteral formulation has a high caloric content. In an embodiment, preferably, the caloric content is between approximately 1.3 to about 1.5 Kcal/ml. Providing a moderate-to-high caloric intake is necessary to spare protein. Caloric needs in severe trauma, burn, and post-surgical patients typically range from 25 to about 35 Kcal/Kg, e.g., 1800 to 2500 Kcal for a convalescing 70 Kg adult. In fact, severe burn patients can require even higher caloric needs. Additionally, due to increased metabolic activity, such patients require high protein intake to reduce negative nitrogen balance and support wound repair. Protein needs average 2.0 g of protein per Kg body weight or, e.g., 140 grams of protein per day for a convalescing 70 Kg adult. Therefore, the formulation has a high protein content, preferably at least approximately 22% of the calories of the product are provided as protein. In an embodiment, up to 28% of the calories are provided as protein. Pursuant to the present invention, the protein source of the composition preferably includes a protein hydrolysate and free amino acids. The use of protein hydrolysate and free amino acids reduces the potential for nutrient malabsorption. A variety of hydrolyzed proteins can be utilized in the present invention. Suitable examples include casein hydrolysate and whey hydrolysate. Preferably, the protein source includes approximately 80% to 85% of protein hydrolysate and approximately 15% to 20% of free amino acids. Pancreatic enzymes are preferably utilized to produce the protein hydrolysate of the present invention. The present invention is a peptide-based diet with high levels of di- and tripeptides. A variety of benefits arise from utilizing a protein source containing primarily dipeptides and tripeptides. For example, when compared to either a diet based on whole proteins or one containing primarily or solely free amino acids, the use of such peptide diets improves tolerance, promotes absorption, results in superior nitrogen utilization and retention, increases the repletion of gut integrity and possibly reduces the length of stay for a patient. Suitable hydrolysis methods that can be utilized to produce the protein hydrolysate of the present invention are described in various U.S. patents. For example, U.S. Patent No. 4,427,658 entitled: "Total Enzymatic Hydrolysate From Whey Proteins and Process of Obtaining the Same," U.S. Patent No. 4,358,465 entitled "Phosphopeptides From Casein-Based Material" (as well as the continuations and divisions therefrom, namely U.S. Patent Nos: 4,495,176; 4,740,462; 4,816,398; 5,028,589) and U.S. Patent No. 4,361,587 entitled: "Phosphopeptides From Casein-Based Material" (and related patents, such as U.S. Patent No. 4,980,450) describe enzymatic hydrolysis by means of utilizing a proteolytic enzyme (e.g. pancreatin) that may be utilized to produce the protein hydrolysate of the present invention. The pancreatic-derived peptides that are produced by such hydrolysis methods are generally more physiological than those produced by a microbial enzyme hydrolysis system. Thus, the present invention preferably includes such pancreatic-derived peptides. The protein source of the present invention contains a unique peptide profile. In an embodiment, the protein hydrolysate in combination with free amino acids contains less than approximately 20% free amino acids, by weight, and less than approximately 20% peptides, by weight, with a chain length of more than nine amino acids. The hydrolysate of the present invention preferably contains less than approximately 35% peptides, by weight, with a chain-length of more than five amino acids. As noted above, the protein source of the present invention includes a portion as free amino acids. In an embodiment, the protein source is enriched with arginine and proline as free amino acids. The hydrolysate source also preferably includes a sufficient amount of cysteine to replenish intracellular glutathione in the patient. Providing a high arginine, proline and/or cysteine content promotes wound healing and tissue repair/cell division. In an embodiment, approximately 25% of the total caloric content of the product is protein. Pursuant to the present invention, either a single hydrolyzed protein or a combination of at least two hydrolyzed proteins can be utilized. For instance, in an embodiment, approximately 80% to 85% of the protein will be partially hydrolyzed casein, approximately 13% to 15% arginine and approximately 4% to 6% proline. In another embodiment, approximately 50% to 55% of the protein will be partially hydrolyzed casein, approximately 30% to 35% partially hydrolyzed whey protein and approximately 13% to 15% will be arginine. In choosing the protein source, the present invention maximizes the natural available levels of desirable amino acid such as arginine, cysteine, proline and glutamine at the highest bioavailability and product stability. The formulation of the present invention also includes a lipid fraction. Preferably, approximately 33% to about 45% of the formulation, by calories, is provided as a lipid. In a preferred embodiment, 39% of the calories are provided as a lipid. The lipid fraction contains significant amounts of omega-3 rich fatty acids and medium chain triglycerides (MCTs). Preferably, the lipid fraction comprises approximately 40% to about 60% by calories MCTs. MCTs are more easily absorbed and metabolized as compared to long chain triglycerides (LCTs). The use of MCTs will reduce the risk of the potential for nutrient malabsorption. A low omega-6 content and a high omega-3 content are provided. Preferably, the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids is less than 2.0:1. The low omega-6: omega-3 ratio reduces the incidence and severity of inflammatory reactions. Omega-3 fatty acids may modulate the negative, immune-mediated reactions brought about by high omega-6 intake. Therefore, oil blends which contain omega-3 (or are, at a minimum, low in omega-6) are preferred. Accordingly, in an embodiment, a fish oil rich in omega-3 fatty acids is preferred, as fish oils contain two longer chain length omega-3 fatty acids: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C22:5, n3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6, n3). Soy oil is also preferred, in that it contains approximately 7% linolenic acid (C18:3, n3), in order to insure that a safe minimum level of shorter length omega-3 fatty acids is delivered, and also contains approximately 50-55% linoleic acid (C18:2, n-6), in order to insure that a safe minimum level of omega-6 fatty acids is delivered (essential fatty acids). In an embodiment of the present invention, the lipid component comprises by weight 50% MCT, 25% fish oil and 25% soy oil (includes soy oil and soy lecithin). In addition to the ability of omega-3 to modulate inflammatory reactions, likewise, the antioxidant vitamins and minerals also reduce the incidence of severity of inflammatory reactions. By utilizing a formulation having high protein and fat content, protein and energy requirements are met. However, at the same time, pursuant to the present invention, the formulation includes reduced water and carbohydrate content. This reduces the risk of over hydration, hyperglycemia, and carbohydrate intolerance. Preferably, the formulation is approximately 35% to about 40%, by calories, carbohydrates. By way of example, the carbohydrates can be chosen from maltodextrin, corn starch, sucrose, and corn syrup solids. In an embodiment, the present invention includes soluble or insoluble fiber, and/or carob pod powder or extract that is rich in insoluble tannin. In an enteral product, especially one to be provided by tube feeding, this provides anti-diarrhea characteristics. Magnesium can be reduced below U.S. RDA levels (400 mg/day), further limiting the potential for tube-fed induced diarrhea. An example of the use of tannin to reduce the incidence of diarrhea is set forth in U.S. patent application Serial No. 887,360 entitled: "ENTERAL FORMULATION DESIGNED TO REDUCE DIARRHEA IN TUBE-FED PATIENTS". Preferably, anti-oxidant vitamins and minerals are increased to above the U.S. RDAs. This will insure that the patient receives at least 100% of the U.S. RDA as well as insure that any additional micronutrients that are necessary due to the patient's state will be provided. The formulation, in an embodiment, will provide approximately 5-6 mg/1500 Kcal of beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is a precursor for Vitamin A and has some unique antioxidant properties. Of course, it will be appreciated that a variety of formulations are possible in accordance with the present invention. An example of a formulation in accordance with the present invention includes a formulation having a caloric density of 1.5 Kcal/ml. This is equivalent to 375 Kcal/250 ml which will, in a preferred embodiment, by one unit (can or container) of product. In this embodiment, preferably, protein comprises 25%, by calories, of the product. This is equivalent to 94 grams/liter. A variety of different components are possible for the protein portion of the product. In an embodiment, casein hydrolysate plus arginine can be utilized. In a further embodiment, casein hydrolysate plus arginine plus proline can be utilized for the protein component. In a preferred embodiment, casein hydrolysate, whey hydrolysate and arginine can be utilized as the protein source. In this preferred embodiment, the lipid component preferably comprises approximately 39% of the calories of the product. This will be equal to approximately 65 grams/liter. In the embodiment, approximately 50% of the lipid component is MCTs and 25% of the lipid component is fish oil. Preferably, 19 to 21% of the lipid component is soy oil and 4-6% soy lecithin. This will provide an omega-6:omega-3 ratio of approximately 1.8:1. Preferably, in this embodiment, the carbohydrates comprise 36% of the calories. This is equivalent to 135 g/l. In the embodiment, maltodextrin and corn starch are used. Preferably, the maltodextrin provides approximately 84% of the carbohydrate source, where as, the corn starch provides approximately 14% of the carbohydrate source. The total calories/nitrogen in this embodiment is approximately 90:1. The total non-protein calories/grams of nitrogen is approximately 67:1. Due to the use of the peptide-base protein source, osmolality will be approximately 600 mOsm/kg H 2 O. It is envisioned that the shelf-life of the product will be approximately 12 months. Pursuant to the present invention, the omega-3 fatty acids as a percent of the total calories of the product will be greater than 2.3%. Anti-inflammatory activity is believed to be achieved at 2.2% to 3% of the calories of the product. Anti-thrombotic and hypolipidemic is also believed to be a benefit of such high levels of omega-3. As set forth above, preferably, fish oil and soy oil are utilized. A number of potential beneficial effects are achieved by using fish oil. Most typical nutritional products have less than 2.3% of the total calories as omega-3 fatty acids. To this end, the following commercially available products have the following omega-3 fatty acid content (as a % of total calories): Impact® 1.6%; Immun-Aid® 1.0%; Peptamen® VHP 1%; Promote 0.9%; Traumacal® 0.3%; and Peptamen® 0.2%. In an embodiment of the present invention, the formulation of the present invention includes at least 3% of the total calories as arginine. Enhanced wound healing with arginine is believed to be provided at quantities greater than 3% of the total calories. Additionally, in an embodiment, the present invention includes significant amounts of proline. In an embodiment, the proline content is at least 2.0% of the total calories. Proline content as a percent of specific proteins is as follows: gelatin = 16.1%; casein = 9.6%; whey = 5.7%; and soy = 5.4%. Still further, in an embodiment, the present invention can include significant amounts of cysteine. In an embodiment, the present invention can provide approximately 0.06% of the total calories as cysteine. This is substantially in line with ad-libitum diets. However, the present invention, in a preferred embodiment, provides 0.25% of the total calories as cysteine. This percentage of cysteine content can be achieved if approximately 40% of the hydrolysate is from whey protein hydrolysate. Preferably, a sufficient amount of cysteine is included in the composition to replenish intracellular glutathione in the patient. Cysteine content of various proteins is as follows: casein = 0.3%; total milk products = 0.9%; soy protein = 1.2%; whey protein = 2.0%; and egg white protein = 2.5%. Pursuant to the present invention, non-protein calories/grams of nitrogen (NPC/gN) is determined so as to provide a composition that spares the use of proteins as the calorie source. Patients with severe metabolic stress (trauma, burns) preferably should receive a product with an NPC/gN of less than 100:1 because of their increased protein requirements. Pursuant to the present invention, the formulation provides compositions having less than or equal to 70:1. The weight/nitrogen weight of certain proteins is as follows: arginine 3.11:1; glutamine 5.21:1; casein 6.25:1; protein 6.25:1; whey 6.38:1; proline 8.21:1; branched chain amino acids 8.79:1. By way of example, and not limitation, examples of formulations of the present invention will now be given. FORMULA EXAMPLE NO. 1 A liquid, ready-to-use enteral product with protein at 25% of total calories: 87% from partially hydrolyzed casein and 13% from the free amino acid arginine. Carbohydrates would be 35-40% of calories. Lipids comprise 38-42% of calories, preferably a blend of medium chain triglycerides (50%), fish oil (25%), soy oil and soy lecithin (25% total of both soys). Vitamin and mineral content would meet preferably daily requirements in 1500 calories. FORMULA EXAMPLE NO. 2 A liquid, ready-to-use enteral product with protein at 25% of total calories: 50% from partially hydrolyzed casein, 34% from partially hydrolyzed whey protein, 12% from the free amino acid arginine and 4% from the free amino acid proline. Carbohydrates would be 35-40% of calories. Lipids comprise 38-42% of calories, preferably a blend of medium chain triglycerides (50%), fish oil (25%), soy oil and soy lecithin (25% total of both soys). Vitamin and mineral content would meet preferably daily requirements in 1500 calories. FORMULA EXAMPLE NO. 3 A liquid ready-to-use enteral product made pursuant to the present invention may have the following nutrient profile: NUTRIENT COMPOSITION Per 250 ML Protein 23.45 g Carbohydrate 33.75 g Fat 16.9 g Vitamin A 1500 I.U. Beta-Carotene 1.35 mg Vitamin D 100 I.U. Vitamin E 25 I.U. Vitamin K 18.75 mcg Vitamin C 250 mg Thiamine (B 1 ) 0.75 mg Riboflavin (B 2 ) 0.6 mg Niacin 7 mg Vitamin B 6 1.0 mg Folic Acid 135 mcg Pantoth. Acid 3.5 mg Vitamin B 12 2.0 mcg Biotin 100 mcg Choline 112.5 mg Taurine 37.5 mg L-Carnitine 37.5 mg Calcium 250 mg Phosphorus 250 mg Magnesium 100 mg Zinc 9 mg Iron 4.5 mg Copper 0.75 mg Manganese 1.0 mg Iodine 40 mcg Sodium 292 mg Potassium 468 mg Chloride 435 mg Chromium 35 mcg Molybdenum 55 mcg Selenium 25 mcg In this example, the protein source preferably comprises approximately 52% casein hydrolysate, approximately 35% whey hydrolysate, and approximately 13% L-arginine. The carbohydrate source preferably includes approximately 86% maltodextrin and approximately 14% corn starch. Lastly, the lipid source preferably includes approximately 50% from medium-chain triglycerides, approximately 25% from fish oil, approximately 19% from soy oil, and approximately 6% from soy lecithin. By way of example, and not limitation, a contemplative example of the use of the present invention will now be given. CONTEMPLATIVE EXAMPLE NO. 1 Two hundred patients admitted to intensive care units with moderate to severe trauma are nutritionally supported by the use of tube-fed enteral formulas. Half receive a whole protein based product at 1.0 calories/mL, with protein as 22% of calories (a combination of whole protein and free amino acid arginine), carbohydrates at 50-55% of calories and lipids at 20-25% of calories, with 25% as MCT and the remainder fish oil and sunflower oil. Vitamin and mineral U.S. RDAs met in 1500 calories (1500 mL). Half receive a formula described in this invention: a liquid, ready-to-use enteral product at 1.3-1.5 Kcal/mL with protein at 25% of total calories (87% from partially hydrolyzed casein and 13% from the free amino acid arginine), carbohydrates at 35-40% calories and lipids at 38-42% of calories, with half of the lipid as MCT, 25% fish oil and 25% soy oil and soy lecithin. Vitamin and mineral U.S. RDAs met in 1500 calories (1000 mL). Many of the patients receiving the whole protein diet were unable to receive the recommended calorie and protein intakes of 2200-2500 calories and 140 grams protein because of intolerance and diarrhea and conflicts with the need to not overhydrate. By comparison, the elemental and calorically dense product described in this invention, it is believed, will be able to deliver 2250 calories and 140 grams protein in 1.5 liters/day with a minimal incidence of intolerance or diarrhea. When using APACHE scoring to predict outcomes, the patients fed the enteral diet described in this invention will, it is believed, have a shorter average length of stay and fewer inflammatory complications than would have been expected based on experiences with whole protein-based diets which contain less than 2.3% of calories as a mixture of omega-3 fatty acids (linolenic, EPA and DHA). It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

Claims: The use of a protein source which includes a protein hydrolysate and free amino acids in which less than 35% by weight of the protein source has a chain length of more than five amino acids, in the preparation of a nutritional composition for providing nutritional support to an intensive care patient; the protein source providing 22% to 28% of the total calories of the nutritional composition. The use according to claim 1 in which the free amino acids comprise not more than 20% by weight of the protein source. The use according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which less than 20% by weight of the protein source has a chain length of more than nine amino acids. The use according to any of claims 1 to 3 in which the protein source comprises 80% to 85% by weight of protein hydrolysate and 15% to 20% by weight of free amino acids. The use according to any of claims 1 to 4 in which the protein hydrolysate comprises 50% to 70% casein hydrolysate and 50% to 30% whey hydrolysate. The use according to any of claims 1 to 5 in which the nutritional composition includes cysteine in an amount to provide at least 0.25% of the total calories of the composition. The use according to any of claims 1 to 6 in which the nutritional composition includes a source of medium chain triglycerides, a source of omega-3 fatty acids and a source of omega-6 fatty acids. The use according to any of claims 1 to 7 in which the nutritional composition has a caloric density of at least 1.3 Kcal/ml.

Inventors: ALEXANDER JOHN, GRAY DEBORA, MARK DAVID A, SCHMELKIN NANCY, TWYMAN DIANA, ALEXANDER, JOHN, GRAY, DEBORA, MARK, DAVID A., SCHMELKIN, NANCY, TWYMAN, DIANA
Applicants: NESTLE SA, SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE S.A.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: A23L1
IPC codes: A23L1