OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) supplemented with arginine on cellular immune function of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after radical tumor resection.

METHODSFifty-six HCC patients undergoing radical surgery received fat-free TPN support, routine TPN or TPN with arginine supplementation, and their clinical data were analyzed prospectively. The percentages of T lymphocyte subpopulation and national killer (NK) cells in peripheral blood are determined, and the levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) were measured.

RESULTSNo marked changes were noted in peripheral blood CD4+, CD8+ T cells and NK cells, or in IL-2, IL-4 and IFN-gamma levels after fat-free TPN and routine TPN support. TPN supplemented with arginine resulted in significant increase in CD4+ T cells, NK cells and CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio in the peripheral blood, as well as in IL-2 and IFN-gamma levels. Peripheral blood IL-4 level was decreased significantly.

CONCLUSIONTPN with arginine supplementation can augment the percentages of CD4+ T lymphocytes and NK cells, and increase IL-2 and IFN-gamma levels, suggesting that arginine can enhance cell-mediated immunity in postoperative patients with HCC.