A randomized controlled trial of immune-enhancing enteral feeding on immunologic and nutritional status in tube-fed patients

INTERVENTION: Enteral formula with lactoferrin and nucleic acids (immune‐enhancing enteral formula) Enteral formula without lactoferrin and nucleic acids CONDITION: malnutrition PRIMARY OUTCOME: Natural killer cell activity, phagocytic and sterilizing activity of neutrophils, high sensitive C‐reactive protein, albumin, prealbumin SECONDARY OUTCOME: Body weight, fever from infectious disease, arm circumference, triceps skinfold thickness, calf circumference INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1) Patients with serum albumin level between 2.5 and 3.5 g/dL. 2) Patients whose nutrition has come completely from enteral feeding for at least one month. 3) Patients who are expected to continue enteral feeding during the study period. 4) Patients with life expectancy of at least 6 months.