Efficacy of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy on unplanned treatment interruption and nutritional status in patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy for advanced head and neck cancer.

Objective: Efficacy of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) on unplanned treatment interruption and nutritional status was examined in patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for advanced head and neck cancer.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed hospital charts of 44 patients with advanced head and neck cancer who were treated with CRT.

Results: CRT-induced mucositis of grade 3 or worse and inadequate oral intake of less than one third of their usual intake developed in 33 patients who were recommended PEG placement, but not in 11 patients.

Effects of zinc supplementation on serum zinc concentration and ratio of apo/holo-activities of angiotensin converting enzyme in patients with taste impairment.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of zinc supplementation on hypogeusia, serum zinc concentration and the ratio of apo/holo-activities of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE ratio) in patients with taste impairment. ACE ratio was used as an index of zinc nutritional status.

Methods: Forty patients complaining of taste impairment were divided into two groups: zinc deficiency taste impairment (n=12) and idiopathic taste impairment (n=28).

Zinc nutrition in healthy subjects and patients with taste impairment from the view point of zinc ingestion, serum zinc concentration and angiotensin converting enzyme activity.

Objective: To estimate the zinc nutrition in healthy subjects and patients with taste impairment. Dietary zinc intake, zinc concentration in the serum and the ratio of apo/holo-activities of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), a zinc dependent enzyme in the serum (ACE ratio) were used as indices.

Subjects: Healthy paramedical volunteers from a local hospital and patients with taste impairment seen in the Department of Otolaryngology, Tokushima University Hospital.

Zinc deficiency in patients with idiopathic taste impairment with regard to angiotensin converting enzyme activity.

Objective: The present study aimed at measuring the ratio of apo/holo activities of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) ratio in the serum of patients with taste impairment to evaluate their status of zinc nutrition.

Methods: Nineteen patients complaining of taste impairment were divided into two groups: zinc-deficiency taste impairment (n=6) and idiopathic taste impairment (n=13) and compared to 30 volunteers. Zinc concentrations in the serum were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry (normal values: 64-111 microg/dl).