Olza, JosuneMesa, María DPoyatos, Rafael MAguilera, Concepción MMoreno-Torres, RosarioPérez, MilagrosPérez de la Cruz, AntonioGil, Angel2012-07-182012-07-182010-07-13http://hdl.handle.net/10668/415Background: Old age is associated with an involuntary and progressive but physiological loss of muscle mass. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of exclusive consumption for 6 months of a protein-enriched enteral diet with a relatively high content of branched-chain amino acids on albuminemia, cortisolemia, plasma aminoacids, insulin resistance, and inflammation biomarkers in elderly patients. Methods: Thirty-two patients from the Clinical Nutrition Outpatient Unit at our hospital exclusively consumed a protein-enriched enteral diet for 6 months. Data were collected at baseline and at 3 and 6 months on anthropometric and biochemical parameters and on plasma concentrations of amino acids, cortisol,adrenocorticotropic hormone, urea, creatinine, insulin resistance, and inflammation biomarkers. Results: The percentage of patients with albumin concentration below normal cut-off values decreased from 18% to 0% by the end of the study. At 6 months, concentrations of total plasma (p = 0.008) and essential amino acids(p = 0.011), especially branched-chain amino acids (p = 0.031), were higher versus baseline values, whereas 3-methylhistidine (p = 0.001), cortisol (p = 0.001) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (p = 0.004) levels were lower. Conclusions: Regular intake of specific protein-enriched enteral formula increases plasma essential amino acids, especially branched-chain amino acids, and decreases cortisol and 3-methylhistidine, while plasma urea and creatinine remain unchanged.enAncianoNutrición EnteralAminoácidos, Péptidos y ProteínasSarcopeniaAlimentos FortificadosMedical Subject Headings::Named Groups::Persons::Age Groups::Adult::AgedMedical Subject Headings::Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment::Therapeutics::Nutrition Therapy::Nutritional Support::Enteral NutritionMedical Subject Headings::Chemicals and Drugs::Amino Acids, Peptides, and ProteinsMedical Subject Headings::Diseases::Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms::Signs and Symptoms::Neurologic Manifestations::Neuromuscular Manifestations::Muscular Atrophy::SarcopeniaMedical Subject Headings::Technology, Industry, Agriculture::Food and Beverages::Food::Foods, Specialized::Food, Fortifiedresearch article20626909open access10.1186/1743-7075-7-581743-7075