Clinical trials

This single-center, prospective, four-arm randomized controlled trial will enroll 72 adults with chronic intestinal failure and low muscle mass. All participants will receive standardized basic nutritional support and will be randomly assigned to one of four groups: usual care, whey protein supplementation, resistance training, or whey protein supplementation combined with resistance training. Participants assigned to whey protein supplementation will receive 20 g of whey protein daily for 6 weeks. Participants assigned to resistance training will complete moderate-intensity resistance exercises for approximately 30 minutes, 3 to 5 times per week, for 6 weeks. Participants in the combined group will receive both interventions. Body composition, appendicular skeletal muscle mass index, phase angle, handgrip strength, 6-meter walking speed, laboratory indicators, and quality of life will be assessed at baseline, week 6, and week 8. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of whey protein supplementation and resistance training, alone or in combination, for improving muscle mass and physical function in patients with chronic intestinal failure.

This prospective observational study will enroll 50 adults who are scheduled to receive radiotherapy to the abdomen or pelvis. The study will not assign any additional treatment or change routine clinical care. Residual blood samples from routine clinical testing will be collected before radiotherapy, at the end of radiotherapy, and one month after radiotherapy to measure plasma glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2). Participants will be followed for gastrointestinal symptoms and the occurrence and severity of acute radiation enteritis. Researchers will compare GLP-2 levels and changes between participants who develop acute radiation enteritis and those who do not. The study will also examine the associations of GLP-2 with markers of intestinal barrier injury and inflammation, radiotherapy dose parameters, nutritional status, and quality of life. The aim is to explore whether plasma GLP-2 may help assess the risk and severity of acute radiation enteritis.