Healthy
Conditions
Keywords
Immune System
Brief summary
Literature suggests that route of feeding and/or certain nutrients may cause alterations in the body's immune cells. Immune cells help protect the body and fight infection/disease. Tube feeding (TF) is a method of delivering nutrition directly to the stomach/intestines via a small tube. The immune system may respond differently when receiving continuous TF as compared to receiving intermittent TF. Heart rate variability (HRV, the intervals between heartbeats) is a measurement of the nervous system's response to a stress/illness. The differences in immune cells and/or HRV may influence how the body reacts to complications such as infection.
Interventions
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTEnteral Intermittent
Intermittent Tube Feedings
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTParenteral Continuous
Parenteral Continuously for 72 hours
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTEnteral Continuous
Continuous Tube Feeding for 72 hours
Sponsors
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* General good health as demonstrated by medical history, physical& laboratory tests * Age between 18 and 40 years * Written informed consent prior to the performance of any study related procedures
Exclusion criteria
* History of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, or immunological, renal, hepatic, endocrine, neurologic, heart disease or hypertension * Any medication taken in past 48 hrs (except birth control) * Recent history of alcohol or drug abuse * Unable to provide written informed consent * Exposure to any experimental agent or procedure within 30 days of study * Pregnant or breast-feeding
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Route and type of feeding on Immune response | Day 1- Day 4 |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed