[Nutritional support in sepsis]

The host responses to infection are characterized by a hyperdynamic state and hypermetabolism. These events are associated with accelerated release of amino acids by the peripheral tissues and with their increased uptake by the liver, other visceral organs, and immune cells. Adequate nutrition is essential to maintain normal physiologic functions including host defense against infection. In this review the current status of the nutritional support in sepsis is summarized. Moreover, the review focused on the role of immunonutrition in the modulation of inflammatory and immune responses. The immunonutrition includes route of nutritional supply, special nutrients and anabolic peptide hormones. Recent clinical trials using some of these new modalities are encouraging for the prevention, as well as treatment, of severe infection in critical illness.