Outcome measures and data collection
The primary outcome of this study was IL-6, CRP, SOFA, and APACHEII. A
checklist was designed to obtain information according to the selection
criteria of the study including age, sex, medical history, drug history,
and underlying diseases. Disease severity scores, including the acute
physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) and sequential organ
failure assessment (SOFA) scores were calculated. The weight (using bed
scales; Seca-Germany), estimated height, NUTRIC score, required energy
intake and received energy (Kcal/kg/day) were also calculated by the
nutritionist for each patient and all patients received standard
hospital gavages. Serum and plasma were extracted from the blood samples
by adding EDTA and centrifugation at 3000 rpm for 15 minutes at 4 ºC.
Plasma samples were stored at -80 ºC immediately after centrifugation
until analysis.
After the finishing of intervention, serum CRP level was measured
following the method of immunoturbidity measurement (Kit: Quantitative
determination of CRP in human blood by latex turbidimetry assay using
BT3500 Biotecnica Instruments SpA –Italy). IL-6 as an inflammatory
marker measured by ELISA method using Karmagene kit (Kerman-Iran), and
also 28-day mortality was measured and recorded by telephone and
follow-up of patients after intervention.