Mechanism of Hypophosphatemia during refeeding syndrome

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K16214
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Eating habits
• Research Institution: University of Hyogo
• Principal Investigator: TANAKA SARASA 兵庫県立大学, 環境人間学部, 助教 (90733387)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): SAKAUE Motoyoshi 兵庫県立大学, 環境人間学部, 教授 (20283913) ; ITOH Mikiko 兵庫県立大学, 環境人間学部, 教授 (50314852)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: リフィーディングシンドローム / 低リン血症

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Refeeding syndrome (RFS) occurs following aggressive nutritional supplementation in malnourished patients. Hypophosphatemia is the hallmark of RFS and key to its prevention and treatment. However, the mechanism of RFS is unclear because of the lack of an animal model. In this study, we developed a rat RFS model as a first step to clarifying the molecular mechanism. Rats were fasted for 5 days and refeeding on a high calorie solution with or without insulin administration was started using total parenteral nutrition. Results showed that plasma phosphate levels did not decrease in rats infused with the high calorie solution alone; in contrast, insulin leaded hypophosphatemia. In addition, rats infused with the high calorie solution containing added phosphate did not present with hypophosphatemia. Thus, we developed a rat RFS model with hypophosphatemia by tube feeding and insulin administration, and demonstrated the importance of phosphate in preventing refeeding hypophosphatemia.

Free Research Field

栄養学