The effect of French maritime pine bark extract supplementation on inflammation, nutritional and clinical status in critically ill patients with traumatic brain injury: A randomized controlled trial

Inflammation plays an important role in the pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Based on the anti-inflammatory properties of French maritime pine bark extract and the neuroprotective effects, we aimed to evaluate the effects of its supplementation on TBI. Sixty-seven TBI patients admitted to the intensive care units (ICUs) were enrolled. After stabilizing the hemodynamic status, the intervention group received 150 mg of French maritime pine bark extract supplementation (Oligopin) with enteral nutrition for 10 days. The control group received a placebo. Inflammatory status and oxidative stress markers were measured three times. Also, clinical and nutritional statuses were assessed. Supplementation, significantly decreased IL-6 (beta = -53.43 pg/ml, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -91.74, -15.13, p = .006), IL-1 beta (beta = -111.66 pg/ml, 95% CI = -183.79, -39.5402, p = .002) and C-reactive protein (beta = -19.99 mg/L, 95% CI = -27.23, -12.76, p > .001) in the intervention group compared to control group after 10 days. Clinical scores including acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II and sequential organ failure assessment were reduced (beta = -3.72, 95% CI = -5.96, -1.49, p = .001and beta = -2.07, 95% CI = -3.23, -0.90, p < .001, respectively), and Nutric score was reduced compared to control group (beta = -.60, 95% CI = -1.08, -0.12, p = .01). The survival rate was higher by 15% in the intervention group compared to control group. Oligopin supplementation in TBI patients in ICU reduced inflammation and improved the clinical status and malnutrition score and thereby reducing the mortality rate.