The Effect of Fungal Nutraceutical Supplementation on Postoperative Complications, Inflammatory Factors and Fecal Microbiota in Patients Undergoing Colorectal Cancer Surgery with Curative Intent: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Clinical Trial
<b>Background/Objectives:</b> The combination of different fungal extracts could be beneficial to cancer patients due to their role in gut microbiota modulation and anti-inflammatory activity. The study aimed to evaluate whether fungal extract supplementation reduces postsurgical complic...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Biomedicines |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/5/1185 |
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| Summary: | <b>Background/Objectives:</b> The combination of different fungal extracts could be beneficial to cancer patients due to their role in gut microbiota modulation and anti-inflammatory activity. The study aimed to evaluate whether fungal extract supplementation reduces postsurgical complications in patients with colorectal cancer undergoing curative surgery. <b>Methods:</b> Patients were randomized to receive the nutraceutical Micodigest 2.0 or a placebo until surgery. Surgical complications were evaluated using the Clavien-Dindo classification. We also assessed the effect of the nutraceutical on gut microbiota composition, inflammatory response, nutritional status, and quality of life. A subanalysis based on surgery type (robotic vs. non-robotic) was performed. <b>Results:</b> We included 46 patients who met the inclusion criteria, with 27 randomized to the intervention group and 19 to the placebo group, receiving treatment for three (2–4) weeks. Non-robotic surgery was performed in 35 (76.1%) patients. We found non-significant differences in postoperative complications (Micodigest 2.0: 25.9%, placebo: 26.3%; <i>p</i> = 0.9). In non-robotic surgery, we identified a non-significant reduction in postoperative complications (Micodigest 2.0: 25.0%, placebo: 36.4%; <i>p</i> = 0.7), as well as a significant increase in lymphocyte levels and a reduction in the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (<i>p</i> = 0.02). Micodigest 2.0 supplementation was also associated with significant changes in gut microbiota composition, as indicated by a decreased relative abundance of the phyla Firmicutes (<i>p</i> = 0.004) and Actinobacteria (<i>p</i> = 0.04). <b>Conclusions:</b> Micodigest 2.0 supplementation was associated with non-significant reductions in postoperative complications and significant modifications in gut microbiota composition. <b>Limitations:</b> The trial did not reach the calculated sample size. |
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| ISSN: | 2227-9059 |