Skip to main content
Evidence-Based Supplement Research
Evidence-Based Supplement Research
Pillser
Search
Sign UpLog In

Comparative Effects of Different Nutritional Supplements on Inflammation, Nutritional Status, and Clinical Outcomes in Colorectal Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

  • 2023-06-16
  • Nutrients 15(12)
    • Jiayi Ye
    • Yanjie Hu
    • Xinrong Chen
    • Chengting Chang
    • Ka Li

Study Design

Type
Systematic Review
Sample size
n = 2,841
Population
2841 participants with colorectal cancer
Methods
Network meta-analysis of RCTs comparing nutritional supplements (omega-3, arginine, vitamin D, glutamine, probiotics, or combinations) with placebo or standard treatment; four electronic databases searched until December 2022
  • Rigorous Journal
Nutritional supplements have been widely used in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. The aim of this network meta-analysis (NMA) was to compare the effects of different nutritional supplements on inflammation, nutritional status, and clinical outcomes in CRC patients. Four electronic databases were searched until December 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing nutritional supplements of omega-3 fatty acids (omega-3), arginine, vitamin D, glutamine, probiotics, or their combinations with placebo or standard treatment were selected. The outcomes were inflammatory indicators, nutritional indicators, and clinical outcomes. A random-effects Bayesian NMA was performed to rank the effect of each supplement. In total, 34 studies involving 2841 participants were included. Glutamine was superior in decreasing tumor necrosis factor-α (MD -25.2; 95% CrI [-32.62, -17.95]), whereas combined omega-3 and arginine supplementation was more effective in decreasing interleukin-6 (MD -61.41; 95% CrI [-97.85, -24.85]). No nutritional supplements significantly maintained nutritional indicators in CRC patients. Regarding clinical outcomes, glutamine ranked highest in reducing the length of hospital stay (MD -3.71; 95% CrI [-5.89, -1.72]) and the incidence of wound infections (RR 0.12; 95% CrI [0, 0.85]), and probiotics were rated as best in reducing the incidence of pneumonia (RR 0.38; 95% CrI [0.15, 0.81]). Future well-designed RCTs are needed to further confirm these findings.

Research Insights

Back to top