Objective To study the effects and mechanisms of major immune nutrients and to introduce the progresses of clinical applications about enteral immunonutrition. Methods The related literatures about the effects and clinical applications of enteral immunonutrition were reviewed. Results Infection rate can be reduced and the hospitalization can be shortened as a result of the improved nutritional status and immune competence of patients which can be enhanced by reasonable enteral immune nutrition. Most of the patients suffering from serious diseases can benefit from enteral immunonutrition, such as gastrointestinal cancers, post-transplantation complications, chronic liver disorders, acute pancreatitis and so on. However, as a new nutrition therapy, the clinical use of enteral immunonutrition in critically ill patients is still controversial. Conclusions Enteral immunonutrition plays an important role in the nutritional support of patients with serious diseases, such as gastrointestinal cancers, organ failures. However, much work remains to be done.
Objective To investigate the role of rehabilitation therapy both on nutritional status and intestinal adaptation of patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS). Methods The literatures about rehabilitation therapy for SBS were reviewed. Results Intestinal rehabilitation refers to the process of restoring enteral autonomy, in order to get rid of parenteral nutrition, usually by means of dietary, medical, and surgical treatment. Recent researches showed that medication and the use of specific nutrients and growth factors could stimulate intestinal absorption and might be useful in the medical management of SBS. Conclusion Intestinal rehabilitation is of benefit in the treatment of SBS and would play a greater role in the future.