Nutritional activation of the cholinergic pathway after hemorrhagic shock reduces inflammation and preserves intestinal integrity.

This study investigates the effects of lipid-enriched nutrition administered early after hemorrhagic shock. Previously we have shown that high-lipid feeding effectively inhibits systemic inflammation and preserves intestinal integrity when given before hemorrhagic shock by stimulation of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway via activation of CCK receptors. Control of the inflammatory status of trauma patients forms a major clinical problem since the inflammatory cascade is already ongoing upon presentation. The anti-inflammatory effects of high-lipid intervention after shock are therefore examined.