Nutritional Support Reduces Circulating Cytokines in Patients with Heart Failure.

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Nutrition Science
• Inflammation Research

Background:

• Inflammation plays a key role in heart failure (HF) pathogenesis.
• Elevated circulating cytokines are linked to poorer clinical outcomes in HF patients.
• Modulating inflammation presents a potential therapeutic strategy for HF.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare changes in circulating cytokines in HF patients receiving Mediterranean diet alone versus Mediterranean diet with omega-3 enriched oral nutritional supplements (ONS).
• To investigate the association between specific cytokines, body composition, and mortality in HF patients.

Main Methods:

• Randomized controlled trial comparing Mediterranean Diet (control) with Mediterranean Diet plus ONS (intervention).
• Assessed circulating levels of cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, IP-10) and inflammatory markers.
• Correlated cytokine levels with body mass index, fat mass, C-reactive protein (CRP), and mortality.

Main Results:

• Mediterranean diet alone decreased IL-8 levels.
• The addition of ONS further reduced IL-6 and IP-10 levels.
• Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and IL-6 were associated with overweight/obesity and increased fat mass.
• MCP-1 was identified as an independent predictor of mortality in HF patients.

Conclusions:

• Nutritional support with omega-3 enriched ONS alongside a Mediterranean diet may decrease specific circulating cytokines in HF patients.
• This nutritional intervention could potentially improve heart function.
• MCP-1 warrants further investigation as a prognostic marker in heart failure.