Effect of enteral feeding with ginger extract in acute respiratory distress syndrome

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of an enteral diet enriched with ginger extract on inflammatory factors, respiratory profile, and outcome of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Materials and methods: Thirty-two patients with ARDS were randomized to receive a high-protein enteral diet enriched with ginger or placebo. Serum levels of interleukin (IL) 1, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor a, and leukotriene B4; red blood cell glutathione; oxygenation; and static compliance were measured on days 0, 5, and 10. Results: Patients fed enteral diet enriched with ginger had significantly lower serum levels of IL-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha and higher level of RBC glutathione on days 5 and 10 compared with control group (P < .05). Significant improvement in oxygenation was observed on day 5 (P = .02) and 10 (P = .003) in ginger group compared with control group. Static compliance was increased on day 5 (P = .01) in ginger group compared with control group. A significant difference was found in duration of mechanical ventilation (P = .02) and length of intensive care unit stay (P = .04) in favor of ginger group. We did not find any difference in barotraumas, organ failure, and mortality between the study groups. Conclusions: An enteral diet supplemented with ginger in patients with ARDS may be beneficial for gas exchange and could decrease duration of mechanical ventilation and length of stay in intensive care unit. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.