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Advancing Patient Care: The Role of Nutrition in Immune-Mediated Diseases, Spanning from Cancer to Autoimmunity

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Clinical Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 October 2024) | Viewed by 6946

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The interconnection between nutrition and the immune system has been an area of growing interest in recent years. As scientific understanding expands, it becomes increasingly evident that nutrition can significantly impact the development and progression of immune-related conditions, spanning from cancer to inflammatory disorders and autoimmune diseases. We encourage submissions that delve into the molecular mechanisms through which nutrition influences the immune response, innovative nutritional interventions that hold promise for patient management, and evidence-based studies highlighting the effects of specific dietary components on immune-mediated diseases.

This Special Issue seeks to foster collaboration between researchers, healthcare practitioners, and nutrition experts to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and patient care. By sharing novel insights and evidence-based practices, we hope to pave the way for the development of personalized nutritional approaches in the prevention and treatment of immune-mediated diseases.

We invite authors to submit original research articles, reviews, meta-analysis, case studies, and clinical trials that contribute to a deeper understanding of the relationship between nutrition and immune health.

Dr. Elena Niccolai
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nutrients is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • nutrition
  • inflammation
  • immunonutrients
  • microbiome
  • cancer
  • autoimmunity

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 450 KiB  
Article
Near-Death Quality of Life in Cancer Patients on Home Parenteral Nutrition
by Paolo Cotogni and Luca De Carli
Nutrients 2025, 17(2), 271; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17020271 - 13 Jan 2025
Viewed by 662
Abstract
Background: The impact of home parenteral nutrition (HPN) on the quality of life (QoL) of cancer patients has been previously investigated. However, scarce data are available regarding near-death QoL in patients with cancer receiving HPN. This study aims to investigate the changes of [...] Read more.
Background: The impact of home parenteral nutrition (HPN) on the quality of life (QoL) of cancer patients has been previously investigated. However, scarce data are available regarding near-death QoL in patients with cancer receiving HPN. This study aims to investigate the changes of QoL in these patients in the last two months before death. Methods: This is a secondary analysis of a previous, prospective, longitudinal, observational study. QoL was assessed using the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire. Results: Eighty-four adult cancer patients who died on HPN and had filled out the questionnaire between 31 and 60 days (M2) and within 30 days prior (M1) to death were included in this analysis. The questionnaires filled out at M2 and M1 were compared with those filled out by the same patients at HPN start (T0). At M2, there was a significant improvement in both the global QoL and symptoms scales (p < 0.001 and p < 0.033, respectively), while at M1, a significant improvement in the global QoL scale persisted (p < 0.035) compared with T0. Conclusions: Our study first reports that HPN, if started early and according to European guidelines, is associated with an improvement in the QoL of patients with cancer even in the last two months before death. Full article
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14 pages, 2101 KiB  
Article
Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet Mitigates Inflammation and Hospital Stay in Frail Elderly Patients: A Moderation Analysis
by Aurelio Lo Buglio, Francesco Bellanti, Rosanna Maria Carapellese, Cristiano Capurso, Gaetano Serviddio and Gianluigi Vendemiale
Nutrients 2024, 16(15), 2482; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16152482 - 31 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1579
Abstract
Understanding the interaction between dietary patterns and nutritional status in influencing health outcomes is crucial, especially in vulnerable populations. Our study investigates the impact of adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) and nutritional status on inflammatory markers (CRP) and the length of stay [...] Read more.
Understanding the interaction between dietary patterns and nutritional status in influencing health outcomes is crucial, especially in vulnerable populations. Our study investigates the impact of adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) and nutritional status on inflammatory markers (CRP) and the length of stay (LOS) in hospitalized frail elderly patients. Methods: We conducted two-way ANOVA and multiple regression analysis to evaluate the effects of nutritional status and MD adherence on the CRP levels and LOS in a cohort of 117 frail elderly patients aged 65 years or older. Patients with cancer or acute infection were excluded. Adherence to the MD was assessed using the 14-item PREDIMED questionnaire. Results: Significant interactions were found between nutritional status and MD adherence for both the CRP and LOS. The patients with low-level MD adherence and a poor nutritional status exhibited higher CRP levels and longer hospital stays compared to those with high MD adherence. Specifically, a statistically significant interaction was observed for the CRP (F (1, 113) = 7.36, p = 0.008) and LOS (F (1, 113) = 15.4, p < 0.001), indicating the protective effect of high-level MD adherence. Moderation analysis confirmed that high-level MD adherence mitigates the adverse effects of malnutrition on both the inflammatory response and LOS. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of promoting the MD, particularly in malnourished elderly patients, to improve health outcomes and reduce hospitalization duration. Further longitudinal studies are warranted to establish causality and explore the underlying mechanisms. Full article
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12 pages, 261 KiB  
Article
Healthy Lifestyle and Quality of Life in Post-Operative Colorectal Cancer Patients: A Five-Month Observational Study
by Yi-Chiu Li, Hsi-Hsien Hsu, Shu-Ping Yang, Gwo-Chi Hu, Hui-Mei Wang, Wen-Chien Huang and Tsae-Jyy Wang
Nutrients 2024, 16(1), 68; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16010068 - 25 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1684
Abstract
Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is an important indicator of treatment effectiveness. An unhealthy lifestyle can have a negative impact on quality of life. This study aimed to investigate changes in health-related lifestyle over time after surgery for colorectal cancer and their impact [...] Read more.
Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is an important indicator of treatment effectiveness. An unhealthy lifestyle can have a negative impact on quality of life. This study aimed to investigate changes in health-related lifestyle over time after surgery for colorectal cancer and their impact on HRQOL. Healthy lifestyle habits examined in this study included physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, fruit and vegetable intake, sleep, and obesity levels. An observational study design was used. A total of 75 post-operative colorectal cancer patients were recruited from two medical centers in Taiwan. Data were collected through structured questionnaires. Mean HRQOL scores at 1, 3, and 5 months after discharge were 102.5 (SD = 18.8), 102.9 (SD = 20.1), and 103.0 (SD = 18.9), respectively. A generalized estimating equation analysis showed that alcohol consumption (p = 0.009), fruit and vegetable intake (p = 0.020), physical activity (p = 0.023), sleep quality (p < 0.001), and obesity (p = 0.035) were important predictors of post-operative quality of life in patients with colorectal cancer. The impact of smoking on HRQOL did not reach statistical significance. Colorectal cancer patients tend to have better HRQOL after surgery if they stay physically active, eat enough fruits and vegetables, and sleep well. Full article

Review

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25 pages, 427 KiB  
Review
Nutritional and Microbiota-Based Approaches in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: From Prevention to Treatment
by Francesca Cuffaro, Ingrid Lamminpää, Elena Niccolai and Amedeo Amedei
Nutrients 2025, 17(1), 102; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17010102 - 30 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1134
Abstract
Metabolic alterations, including hypermetabolism, lipid imbalances, and glucose dysregulation, are pivotal contributors to the onset and progression of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). These changes exacerbate systemic energy deficits, heighten oxidative stress, and fuel neuroinflammation. Simultaneously, gastrointestinal dysfunction and gut microbiota (GM) dysbiosis intensify [...] Read more.
Metabolic alterations, including hypermetabolism, lipid imbalances, and glucose dysregulation, are pivotal contributors to the onset and progression of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). These changes exacerbate systemic energy deficits, heighten oxidative stress, and fuel neuroinflammation. Simultaneously, gastrointestinal dysfunction and gut microbiota (GM) dysbiosis intensify disease pathology by driving immune dysregulation, compromising the intestinal barrier, and altering gut–brain axis (GBA) signaling, and lastly advancing neurodegeneration. Therapeutic and preventive strategies focused on nutrition offer promising opportunities to address these interconnected pathophysiological mechanisms. Diets enriched with antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and anti-inflammatory compounds—such as the Mediterranean diet—have shown potential in reducing oxidative stress and systemic inflammation. Additionally, microbiota-targeted approaches, including probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation, are emerging as innovative tools to restore microbial balance, strengthen gut integrity, and optimize GBA function. This review highlights the critical need for personalized strategies integrating immunonutrition and microbiota modulation to slow ALS progression, improve quality of life, and develop preventive measures for neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases. Future research should prioritize comprehensive dietary and microbiota-based interventions to uncover their therapeutic potential and establish evidence-based guidelines for managing ALS and related disorders. Full article
10 pages, 884 KiB  
Review
The Effect of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid (PUFA) Supplementation on Clinical Manifestations and Inflammatory Parameters in Individuals with Sjögren’s Syndrome: A Literature Review of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials
by Catarina Bento da Nave, Paula Pereira and Maria Leonor Silva
Nutrients 2024, 16(21), 3786; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16213786 - 4 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1220
Abstract
Background. Sjögren’s syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes dry mouth and eyes and can lead to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 5–10% of cases after 10 years. Clinical trials have shown that the oral administration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) seems to have [...] Read more.
Background. Sjögren’s syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes dry mouth and eyes and can lead to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 5–10% of cases after 10 years. Clinical trials have shown that the oral administration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) seems to have a beneficial effect on Sjögren’s syndrome. Aim. This literature review provides an overview of the effects of PUFA supplementation on clinical manifestations and inflammatory parameters in Sjögren’s syndrome. Methodology. We conducted a literature review using the PubMed, Biomed Central, and Cochrane Library electronic databases and using search terms “Sjögren” AND “omega-3”; and “omega-6” AND “fatty acids” AND “oil”. This literature review followed the PRISMA guidelines and included randomized clinical trials in humans with or without a control group using the oral administration of PUFA. Results. From 26 articles found in the databases, a total of 6 articles were included. Of these six trials, five trials showed an effect on clinical manifestations and three trials on inflammatory parameters. Most of the studies did not show a significant effect on the parameters analyzed. One study showed a significant improvement in dry keratoconjunctivitis compared to the control group. The results suggest that PUFAs may improve inflammatory parameters in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome. Conclusions. This literature review supports the idea that the oral administration of PUFA may possess a potential effect on clinical manifestations. However, due to the limited number of studies and the heterogeneity of clinical trial methodology, further investigations should be employed. Understanding the potential mechanism of action of PUFAs on clinical biomarkers in Sjögren’s syndrome may clarify their importance in clinical practice for health professionals. Full article
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