ENTERAL ALIMENTATION AND REPLETION OF BODY CELL MASS IN MALNOURISHED PATIENTS WITH ACQUIRED-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-SYNDROME

The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility, tolerance, and efficacy of enteral feeding in malnourished AIDS patients. This was a prospective study of eight AIDS patients with severe eating disorders associated with systemic diseases. A defined diet was administered through an endoscopically placed gastrostomy tube. Body composition studies and selected serum and immunologic studies were done at baseline and monthly for 2 mo. Enteral feeding was associated with an increase of approximately 14% in total body potassium, an index of body cell mass (P < 0.02), and an increase in body fat content (P < 0.002). Serum albumin concentration (P < 0.005) and iron-binding capacity also rose. Serum immunoglobulins did not change. The numbers of total lymphocytes (P < 0.005) and CD8+ cells rose but CD4+ cells did not change. The tube and enteral feedings were well tolerated. These results demonstrate that enteral feeding may result in body-cell-mass repletion in malnourished AIDS patients.