Periplaneta americana extract used in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

BACKGROUND Periplaneta americana extract is recognized to have a positive effect on gastrointestinal mucosa. This study aimed to investigate the effects of periplaneta americana extract on immune function, nutrition status and gastrointestinal complications of early enteral nutrition patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). METHODS Patients with SIRS were randomly divided into two groups: treatment and control groups. All patients in the two groups received conventional therapy including enteral nutrition, but periplaneta americana extract, an additional Chinese medicine, was given to the patients in the treatment group. At the beginning of treatment (0 day) and 1, 3, and 7 days after treatment, the levels of immunoglobulin (IgA), total lymphocyte count (TLC), total protein (TP) and prealbumin (PA) were respectively tested in patients' venous blood. The incidences of bloating, diarrhea, aspiration pneumonia and high blood sugar at 7 days after treatment were recorded. The mortality of the patients in 28 days was recorded. RESULTS At 3 and 7 days after treatment, the levels of IgA and TLC in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). At 7 days after treatment, the levels of TP and PA in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The incidences of bloating and diarrhea in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group, the differences were significant (P<0.05). The mortality of treatment group was lower than that of the control group (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Periplaneta americana extract could reduce gastrointestinal complications and improve immune function and nutritional status in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome.