Effects of medium-chain triglyceride in parenteral nutrition on rats undergoing gastrectomy

This study was designed to investigate the effects of pre-infusion with total parenteral nutrition (TPN) using medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) versus long-chain triglyceride (LCT) emulsion as fat sources on hepatic lipids, inflammatory mediators and antioxidant capacity in rats undergoing gastrectomy. Rats with internal jugular catheter, were divided into two groups and received TPN. TPN supplied 300 kcal/kg/d with 39% of the energy provided as fat. All TPN solutions were isonitrogenous and identical in nutrient composition except for the fat emulsion, which was composed of MCT/LCT (1 : 1) or LCT. After receiving TPN for 5 days, the rats underwent partial gastrectomy and were sacrificed 24 h after surgery. The results of the study demonstrated that the MCL/LCT group had lower hepatic lipids than did the LCT group. No differences in interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in peritoneal lavage fluid were observed between the two groups. Erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity was significantly higher in the LCT group than the MCT/LCT group, although erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity did not differ significantly between the two groups. These results suggest that infusion with MCT/LCT before an abdominal operation did not have an effect on modulating the production of inflammatory mediators in the location of the injurious stimulus. However, pre-infusion with MCT/LCT have beneficial effect in improving liver lipid metabolism and reducing oxidative stress in rats with gastrectomy.     

含中链甘油三脂的脂肪乳剂有利于胃切除术后大鼠的脂类代谢和抗氧化能力

研究胃切除大鼠于术前接受以中链甘油三酯或长链甘油三酯为脂肪来源的肠外营养对肝内脂类，炎性介质和抗氧化能力的影响。大鼠经颈内静脉插管，分成两组接受肠外营养治疗。肠外营养的能量为30kcal/kg/d， 脂肪占能量的39％。除了脂肪乳剂外所有肠外营养制剂都是等氮的并含有相同的营养成分，脂肪乳剂的成分中链／长链（1：1）或长链脂肪乳剂。大鼠于接受肠外营养5天后经部分胃切除术，于术后24小时处死。研究结果显示，中逻／长链组肝内脂肪少于长链组。提示中链／长链脂肪乳剂能改善肝脏脂类代谢。两组大鼠的腹腔灌洗液（PLF）和血液中白介素－1β（Ⅱ-1β），白介素－6（Ⅱ－6）和肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF－α）无显差别，说明术前输入中链／长链脂肪乳剂对调节大鼠循环血液中的炎性介质和手术刺激没有影响。长链脂肪乳剂组的红细胞谷胱甘肽超氧化物酶（GSHPx)的活力明显高于输入中链／长链脂肪乳剂组，但红细胞超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）的活力在两组之间无显性差别。这些结果说明，腹部手术前输入中链／长链脂肪乳剂能改善脂类代谢和减少氧化物的刺激。结论：推荐对准备行胃手术的肠外营养支持的病人使用中链／长链脂肪乳剂。     

脂肪乳剂对完全胃肠外营养大鼠血清游离脂肪酸谱的影响

为研究脂肪乳剂对机体脂肪代谢的影响，用气相色谱法观测了完全胃肠外营养（ＴＰＮ）大鼠血清游离脂肪酸（ＦＦＡ）谱的变化。将４０只雄性Ｗｉｓｔａｒ大鼠随机分成５组，每组８只：（１）ＳＨ（Ｓｈａｍｏｐｅｒａｔｉｏｎ）组，仅进行颈外静脉结扎，正常饲养；（２）ＮＳ（Ｎｏｔｍａｌｓａｌｉｎｅ）组：正常饲养，输入生理盐水；（３）ＧＳ（Ｇｌｕｃｏｓｅ）组：全部能量由葡萄糖提供，即不含脂肪乳剂ＴＰＮ组；（４）ＬＣＴ（Ｌｏｎｇｃｈａｉｎｔｒｉｇｌｙｃｅｒｉｄｅ）组：含１０％Ｉｎｔｒａｌｉｐｉｄ脂肪轧的ＴＰＮ组；（５）ＭＣＴ（Ｍｅｄｉｕｍｃｈａｉｎｔｒｉｇｌｙｃｅｒｉｄｅ）组：含１０％Ｌｉｐｏｆｕｎｄｉｎ脂肪乳ＴＰＮ组。ＴＰＮ各组大鼠等能量等氮量等液量匀速连续输入“生合一”营养液（即将所有营养物混合在一个溶器内）。于第７天取血标本进行血清ＦＦＡ测定。结果表明：不含脂肪乳的ＴＰＮ大鼠血清各种ＦＦＡ下降，并出现必需脂肪酸缺乏（ＥＦＡＤ）症状，如精神不振活动少，毛发无光泽、脱落等；脂肪乳剂的使用，使大鼠血清各种ＦＦＡ升高，对机体的代谢和功能有着不同的生理、药理作用。     

不同脂肪乳剂对阻塞性黄疸大鼠肝脏功能和形态学的影响

目的：比较不同脂肪酸来源的全胃肠外营养（TPN）对胆总管结扎大鼠肝脏功能和形态学的影响。观察不同脂肪酸对阻塞性黄疸大鼠受损肝脏的作用,为临床阻塞性黄疸患应用TPN提供实验依据。方法：采用SD大鼠36只,随机分4组,每组9只,其中A组为假手术＋经口饮食对照组;余3组均行胆总管结扎术：B组为经口饮食对照组,C,D组分别给予以长链（LCT）或中长链脂肪酸（MCT／LCT）为脂肪来源的TPN。结果：应用长链脂肪酸大鼠的血清AKP,g-GT,血清总胆红素,直接胆红素和胆汁酸水平均高于应用中长链脂肪酸大鼠。对实验大鼠肝脏形态学观察发现,应用LCT的大鼠肝细胞损害较经口饮食对照大鼠有所加重,而应用MCT／LCT的大鼠肝细胞损害未见加重。结论：短期应用合理糖脂比,热氮比和合适脂肪来源的TPN并不加重阻塞性黄疸大鼠的肝脏损害和胆红素代谢紊乱。     

Comparison of effects of long-chain and medium-chain triglyceride emulsions during hepatic regeneration in rats.

We examined the effect of long-chain triglyceride (LCT) and medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) emulsions on hepatic regeneration. After approximately 70% hepatectomy, Sprague-Dawley rats were maintained for 96 hours on total parenteral nutrition (TPN) (250 kcal/kg per day; nonprotein calories-nitrogen 160:1) with LCT or MCT as 30% of nonprotein calories. There were no significant differences in the body weight, cumulative nitrogen balance, urinary 3-methylhistidine excretion, or changes in the energy stores between the two groups; but the fatty acid composition of the phospholipid fraction of the regenerating liver differed significantly between the LCT and the MCT groups. The extent of hepatic regeneration by weight was 88.7 +/- 10.5% in the MCT group and 99.1 +/- 10.6% in the LCT group by 96 hours after hepatectomy. Furthermore, the incorporation of 3H-orotic acid into DNA and RNA of regenerating liver cells in the LCT group was higher than in the MCT group 24 hours after hepatectomy. These observations indicate that essential fatty acids--components of the cell membrane and precursors as functional mediators--are very important to hepatic regeneration.     

A new intravenous emulsion containing medium-chain triglyceride: studies of its metabolic effects in the perioperative period compared with a conventional long-chain triglyceride emulsion

The effects of carbohydrate, lipid, and nitrogen metabolism of recently available lipid emulsions containing either 50% medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) and 50% long-chain triglyceride (LCT) or 100% LCT were compared in elective surgical patients. Postoperative urinary urea excretion was similar during isocaloric MCT/LCT and LCT infusions (1.9 mg/kg/min) and was decreased compared with a standard infusion of 5% glucose (1 mg/kg/min). Plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were similar during both lipid and low dose glucose infusions. However, plasma triglyceride and nonesterified fatty acid concentrations were decreased during the MCT/LCT infusion compared with the LCT infusion, suggesting that the MCT/LCT emulsion was cleared from the circulation faster than pure LCT. Ketone body concentrations were similar during all three infusions. MCT/LCT emulsion can be safely infused perioperatively and has similar nitrogen conserving properties to LCT in these circumstances.     

Effect of structured lipids as energy substrate after hepatectomy in rats with streptozocin-induced diabetes.

The suitability of energy substrates for use by the remnant liver after 70% hepatectomy was studied in relation to the hepatic energy status in diabetic rats. Rats with streptozocin-induced diabetes underwent 70% hepatectomy and were divided into five groups receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) for 24 h. One group received standard TPN without fat, and four groups respectively received standard TPN with long-chain triglycerides (LCTs), medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), mixed triglycerides (MIX), or structured lipids (SLs) as a 10% lipid emulsion. The latter groups received 60% of nonprotein calories per day with fat emulsion (LCT, MCT, MIX, or SL), and the remaining 40% with glucose. The group that received 100% of nonprotein calories per day with glucose was defined as the TPN group. All rats in the TPN group died from nonketotic hyperosmolarity within 24 h. The blood ketone body ratio (acetoacetate/beta-hydroxybutyrate), the energy charge level of the remnant liver, and the cumulative excretion of 14CO2 in expired breath during 6 h after [14C]glucose administration were all significantly higher in the SL group than in the other groups 24 h after hepatectomy. These findings suggest that SL may be a superior energy substrate to other triglyceride preparations during the immediate posthepatectomy phase in diabetic patients.     

Parenteral infusion of long- and medium-chain triglycerides and reticuloendothelial system function in man

Previous study demonstrated that patients who received total parenteral nutrition (TPN) with standard intermittent infusion of long chain triglyceride (LCT) at 0.13 g kg-1hr-1 over 10 hr for each of three days showed a significant decline in 99Tc-sulfur colloid (TSC) clearance rate by the reticuloendothelial system (RES). The present studies evaluated eight patients who received the same total lipid dose of LCT infused continuously as in a three-in-one admixture, and another nine patients receiving the same amount of fat as a medium chain triglyceride (MCT)/LCT (75%/25%) emulsion intermittently over 10 hr at 0.13 g kg-1hr-1 for three consecutive days. Patients were given continuous total parenteral nutrition (TPN) comprised of protein, 1.5 g kg-1day-1, and dextrose, 4.5 g kg-1day-1. RES function was examined by measuring the clearance rates of intravenously injected TSC while receiving TPN containing only protein and dextrose, and again after three days of fat infusion. Mean (+/- SEM) clearance rate constants before and after continuous LCT infusion were 0.38 +/- 0.09 and 0.41 +/- 0.08 min-1, respectively, while those before and after intermittent MCT/LCT infusion were 0.50 +/- 0.18 and 0.73 +/- 0.24 min-1, respectively. In contrast to intermittent LCT infusion, the administration of continuous LCT or an intermittent MCT/LCT mixture does not impair TSC clearance by the RES. These findings suggest that condensing the daily period of LCT infusion at standard dosage may exceed the rate of metabolic utilization, resulting in increased fat removal and diminished TSC uptake by the RES.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Lipid and lipid-free total parenteral nutrition: differential effects on macrophage phagocytosis in rats

Lipid emulsions provided with total parenteral nutrition (TPN) have been associated with mononuclear phagocytic system functional changes. The aim of the present investigation was to assess the influence of TPN with added lipid emulsions on macrophage (M phi) phagocytosis. Wistar rats (n = 70) with external jugular vein cannulation were randomized into seven groups. The rats received an oral diet or six different isocaloric (1.16 kcal/mL), isonitrogenous (1.5 g/mL), and isolipidic (30% non-protein calories) TPN regimens: (a) an oral diet with intravenous infusion of saline (OS); (b) non-lipid TPN (glucose); (c) TPN with 10% long chain triacylglycerol emulsions (LCT); (d) TPN with 90% LCT and 10% fish oil (FO) emulsion; (e) TPN with 50% LCT and 50% FO; (f) TPN with 10% lipid emulsion with 50% medium chain triacylglycerol (MCT) and 50% LCT; and (g) TPN with 45% MCT, 45% LCT, and 10% FO. After 96 h of TPN or saline infusion, colloidal carbon (Pelikan, Germany) was injected intravenously at 1.0 mL/kg body weight, and the rats were killed after 3 h. Liver, spleen, and lung were weighed and prepared by immunohistochemistry analyses with the HAM-56 anti-M phi antibody. Under light microscopy, the total M phi number (MT) and the colloidal carbon phagocytic M phi number (MP) were established, and the phagocytic index was calculated as MP/MT x 100. There were no statistical (P < 0.05) differences in liver, spleen, or lung weights among the seven groups in comparison with the OS group. Non-lipid TPN inhibited spleen and lung M phi phagocytosis when compared with the OS and lipid-TPN groups. Lipid TPN supplemented with fish oil emulsion increased total liver and lung M phi number and phagocytosis. These results indicate that TPN supplemented with fish oil increases M phi phagocytosis in rats.     

Effect of Medium-Chain Triglyceride Emulsion in Total Parenteral Nutrition on Experimental Hepatic Metastasis in the Rat

Background: This study evaluated the effect of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) regimens containing a medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) emulsion on tumor metastasis. Methods: Tumor metastasis development was assessed by the number of metastatic foci on the liver surface in rats inoculated with ACL-15 tumor cells via the portal vein. Rats received one of the following TPN regimens: TPN containing an MCT emulsion (group M), in which tricaprylin emulsion served as the MCT and comprised 50% of nonprotein calories (NPC); TPN containing a long-chain triglyceride (LCT) emulsion (group L), in which soybean oil served as the LCT and comprised 50% of NPC; and TPN without lipid emulsion (group G), in which dextrose comprised 100% of NPC. Results: The number of metastatic foci was greatest in rats receiving TPN containing the MCT emulsion on day 11 after tumor cell inoculation and either 11 days of TPN or 2 days of TPN followed by 9 days standard rat chow. Conclusions: TPN containing MCT emulsion increases liver metastasis early in its administration. (Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition 21:220–223, 1997)     

Fat emulsions in parenteral nutrition after liver transplantation: The recovery of the allografts RES function and histological observations

Following liver transplantation, the effect of post-operative parenteral nutrition with MCT LCT (Medium Chain Triglycerides/Long Chain Triglycerides) fat emulsions on the recovery of allografts RES function was investigated in a randomised prospective study of three groups of patients (group I, n = 14: 50g MCT LCT fats twice weekly, group II, n = 15: 0.7 g/kg body weight per day MCT LCT fats, group III, n = 17: 1.5 g/kg body weight per day MCT LCT fats). RES function was assessed using the (99m)Tc-HSA-MM-Clearance ((99m)Technitium-Human serum albumen-Millimicrosphere-Clearance). There were no statistically significant differences in the recovery of RES function between the groups. A negative effect on RES function as a result of the administration of MCT LCT fat emulsions up to 1.5 g/kg b.w. per day can therefore be excluded. The evaluation of liver biopsies before the administration of fats and at the end of TPN (Total Parenteral Nutrition) showed no evidence, in the 20 patients investigated, of any fatty changes in the liver caused by the infusion of fat.     

Effect of various lipid emulsions on total parenteral nutrition-induced hepatosteatosis in rats

The effect of various lipid emulsions on the development of fatty liver during total parenteral nutrition (TPN) was investigated in rats given TPN for 7 days. Medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), long-chain triglycerides (LCT), chemically defined triglycerides (CDT; structured lipid with a high purity of 94.3%), and a mixture of MCT and LCT (MIX) were prepared as the lipid emulsions. TPN provided 350 kcal/kg/day, with a nonprotein calorie/nitrogen ratio of 160. The TPN-1 group received 10% nonprotein calories and the TPN-2 group received 30% nonprotein calories. MCT TPN was found to have some disadvantages, especially with regard to nitrogen balance and plasma albumin levels. Total cholesterol and phospholipids tended to be high in the MCT TPN group. The hepatic lipid content was higher in the lipid-free TPN and the MCT TPN groups, and lower in the CDT and LCT TPN groups. Histologically, the livers of the MIX, CDT, and LCT TPN groups showed less fatty change than those of the FREE and MCT groups.     

Energy expenditure in rats maintained with intravenous or intragastric infusion of total parenteral nutrition solutions containing medium- or long-chain triglyceride emulsions.

Energy expenditure was determined in male Fischer 344 rats (235-246 g) fed by intravenous (IV) or intragastric (IG) infusion with total parenteral nutrition solutions providing 65% of nonprotein energy as fat from long-chain triglyceride (LCT) or a 3:1 admixture of medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) and LCT emulsions. Respiratory gas exchange and somatomotor activity were assessed continuously for 24 h during d 5 and 11 of infusion feeding. The MCT infusion resulted in one-third the weight gain noted with LCT infusion (MCT, 10 +/- 2 g/14 d; LCT, 32 +/- 4 g/14 d; P less than 0.0001). Insulin concentration was 60% higher with IV than with IG infusion and approximately 100% higher with IV-MCT than with IG-MCT or LCT infusion (P less than 0.05). Rats receiving IV infusion of MCT displayed similar levels of motor activity but 8-13% greater daily energy expenditure (kJ.kg-0.75.kJ intake-1) than rats receiving IG-MCT or LCT infusion (P less than 0.05). The MCT infusion also resulted in an elevation in respiratory quotient after cessation of nutrient infusion (MCT, 0.87-0.92; LCT, 0.83-0.85; P less than 0.05). Total and resting energy expenditure decreased approximately 13% from 5 to 11 d of infusion feeding. The lower weight gain and greater energy expenditure seen with MCT- compared with LCT-supplemented total parenteral nutrition may be mediated by higher insulin concentrations.     

Changes of hepatic morphology during parenteral nutrition with lipid emulsions containing LCT or MCT/LCT quantified by ultrasound.

Fatty infiltration of the liver with cholestasis is one of the complications of total parenteral nutrition (TPN). The cause has not yet been determined. It seems probable, however, that these alterations could be prevented when a mixture of medium- and long-chain triglycerides (MCT/LCT) is used as a fat component instead of the application of long-chain emulsions (LCT) alone. To determine whether this could also be demonstrated morphologically in man, 14 patients needing TPN (25 kcal/kg BW x day, carbohydrate 45%, fat 35%, protein 20%) were examined by ultrasound in order to compare liver size and gray-scale value before and after 7 days of TPN. Seven of the patients were randomly administered a MCT/LCT emulsion as their fat intake, the other seven were exclusively given LCT. There were no changes in liver size and gray-scale value in the MCT/LCT-group, whereas both parameters showed a significant rise in the patients with LCT (size: 10.4 +/- 1.4 to 11.5 +/- 1.4 cm; gray-scale value: 9.3 +/- 1.0 to 11.6 +/- 0.7). These data suggest that TPN, administered with a mixture of MCT/LCT emulsions as fat components, could reduce the risk of hepatic dysfunction such as cholestasis and fatty infiltration of the liver.     

Clinical and metabolic effects of two lipid emulsions on the parenteral nutrition of septic patients

OBJECTIVE: We compared the metabolic and clinical effects of two lipid emulsions, long-chain triacylglycerols (LCT) and a mixture of medium- and long-chain triacylglycerols (MCT/LCT), in septic patients. METHODS: Both groups received total parenteral nutrition (TPN) with a solution enriched with branched-chain amino acids (BCAA). Seventy-two septic patients received TPN with MCT/LCT (group 1) or LCT (group 2). Before starting TPN (basal) and 10 d after (final), various parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-six subjects in each group completed the study. Both groups showed an increase in cholestasis enzymes, with no significant changes in lipid parameters. The rise of retinol-binding protein and the recovery of nitrogen balance were significantly greater in group 1. A multivariate analysis of nutritional markers and catabolic parameters showed a better evolution in group 1 (P = 0.002). The MCT/LCT group exhibited a significant increase of insulin levels. Overall mortality and length of stay in the intensive care unit were not affected by the lipid emulsion. CONCLUSIONS: In septic patients who received TPN with a solution enriched with BCAAs, the use of an emulsion containing MCT provided them with a greater recovery of their nutrition status than the traditional LCT formula, without influencing the outcome.     

The Henry M. Vars Award. The effect of lipid emulsions on reticuloendothelial system function in the injured animal

Use of intravenous lipid emulsions in trauma and sepsis still remains controversial. In order to examine the impact lipid emulsions have on host defense against bacterial infection during total parenteral nutrition (TPN), 56 male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent jugular cannulation and were randomly divided into three groups, each receiving one of three TPN regimens. All regimens delivered approximately 250 kcal/kg X body weight/day, of which 12.5 g were as amino acids. Group 1 received 100% of the nonprotein calories as glucose (AA + G). Group 2 was given 50% of the nonprotein calories as a longchain triglyceride emulsion (100% LCT). Group 3 received 50% of nonprotein calories as a mixed lipid system, composed of medium- and long-chain triglycerides (75% MCT/25% LCT). After 24 hr on intravenous nutrition, all animals received bilateral septic femur fractures and were continued on TPN for 3 days. On the last day, the level of bacteremia and the in vivo response to an intravenous challenge of 59Fe-labeled Escherichia coli were examined. Three days following the septic injury, animals given MCT as part of their lipid calories were not bacteremic, whereas the other groups had greater than 10(2) cfu/ml of blood. Animals receiving TPN with MCT sequestered a greater percentage of exogenously administered bacteria in the liver and sequestered less in the lung compared to animals given 100% LCT (p less than 0.05). From these data, we conclude that parenteral nutrition formulas where LCT has been partially replaced with MCT may better support host bactericidal capacity than similar regimens comprised of LCT as the sole lipid source.     

Effects of medium-chain and long-chain triacylglycerols in pediatric surgical patients

Medium-chain triacylglycerols (MCTs) have been shown to provide better nutritional support than long-chain triacylglycerols (LCTs). This study compares the efficacy of MCT combined with LCT with LCT alone in pediatric patients with surgical stress. Two groups of patients (n = 19 in each) received equivalent amounts of glucose (12 g. kg. d) and amino acids (2 g. kg. d), but one group received 10% Lipofundin MCT/LCT and the other received 10% LCT (1.5 g. kg. d) in a randomized study. Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) was given for 14 d. Blood and urine samples were collected before and after TPN administration for determination of various biochemical parameters. Indirect calorimetry was also performed to determine respiratory quotients and fuel utilization. After 14 d of TPN in the MCT/LCT group, there was a significantly higher blood lymphocyte percentage, a decreasing tendency of serum asparate aminotransferase and of total and direct bilirubin (P < 0.05). These changes were not observed in the LCT group. A significantly better nitrogen balance and a higher ketogenesis from day 3 were observed in the MCT/LCT group. The MCT/LCT group showed a more marked increased utilization of fat than the LCT group, whereas carbohydrate oxidation was less in the MCT/LCT group than in the LCT group (P < 0.05). In children after surgery, MCT/LCT is more protein sparing and induces a better immune response when compared with LCT-containing lipid emulsion. A TPN regimen containing MCT/LCT is likely to result in rapid oxidation of fats for energy without compromising the respiratory system.     

Manipulation of tissue fatty acid profile by intravenous lipids in dogs

This study was undertaken to determine the effects on the fatty acid (FA) composition of various dog tissues of 4 different lipid emulsions (a 100% long-chain triacylglycerol (LCT) derived from soya bean oil emulsion, a mixed 50% medium-chain triacylglycerol (MCT)/50% LCT emulsion as well as both these emulsions supplemented with 10% fish oil (FO) triacylglycerols), when daily infused over 15 days as a substantial component of total parenteral nutrition. Lipids represented 55% of the non-protein energy. Blood samples as well as biopsies from liver, muscle and adipose tissue were taken 15 days before, and again immediately after TPN. In addition, the spleen was also removed immediately after TPN. Tissue FA composition was analysed by gas liquid chromatography of each lipid component after separation by thin layer chromatography. No differences in either safety or tolerance were detected between the different TPN preparations. In particular, infusion over 2 weeks of fat emulsions containing 10% fish oil was tolerated as well as conventional LCT and MCT/LCT emulsions. Relative linoleate content of tissue triacylglycerol (TG) was markedly increased in animals that received the LCT emulsions (e.g. from 22.6 +/- 2.5% to 32.2 +/- 0.6% in the liver), this effect being markedly reduced with MCT/LCT preparations. n-3FA were slightly incorporated into liver TG (from 0.0 +/- 0.0% to 2.3 +/- 0.7% and 1.2 +/- 0.4% for eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) respectively, with LCT + FO), but remained undetectable in extrahepatic tissue TG. Of interest, medium chain FA were found in tissue TG after infusion of the mixed MCT/LCT emulsions. As expected, changes of tissue phospholipid (PL) composition involved only long-chain FA. Infusion of soya bean oil emulsion was associated with an increased content of linoleate in liver PL (from 13.6 +/- 0.4% to 17.7 +/- 0.4%), but not in other tissues. MCT/LCT did not markedly affect PL/FA pattern in any tissue. Supplementation with fish oil was associated with an efficient incorporation of n-3FA into tissue PL, particularly in the liver (from 0.4 +/- 0.1% to 2.5 +/- 0.3% for EPA and from 3.9 +/- 0.8% to 9.1 +/- 0.4% for DHA, with the LCT + FO emulsion).     

Medium chain triglycerides in septic patients on total parenteral nutrition

The object of this study was to compare the metabolic effects of a 10% long chain triglyceride (LCT) emulsion with those produced by a 10% emulsion of medium and long chain triglycerides, MCT/LCT. During 7 days, 20 septic patients received total parenteral nutrition. Daily between 9:00 and 21:00 hours, 0.14 ± 0.01 triglycerides/kg body weight/h was infused. Nine received an LCT emulsion, 11 an MCT/LCT emulsion. Venous blood samples were taken on each of the 7 days at 09:00 and 17:00 hours. No signs of complications attributable to the lipid infusion were observed. The plasma concentrations of phospholipids, triglycerides, free glycerol, non-esterified fatty acids, and sometimes cholesterol, rose during the lipid infusion. Blood ketone body levels did not increase. With both emulsions a day by day acumulation of phospholipids (at09:00 and 17:00 hours) in the plasma was observed. Cholesterol also accumulated but only with the LCT emulsion. The nitrogen balance and urinary excretion of creatinine and of 3-methylhistidine/creatinine ratio was lower with the MCT/LCT emulsion, which suggests less muscular catabolism in patients receiving that emulsion.     

Nitrogen sparing effect of structured triglycerides containing both medium-and long-chain fatty acids in critically ill patients; a double blind randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Patients with sepsis and trauma are characterised by hypermetabolism, insulin resistance and protein catabolism. Fat emulsions containing medium chain triglycerides have been suggested to be beneficial for these patients since medium chain fatty acids are a more readily available source of energy when compared to long chain fatty acids. The aim of this study was to compare a medium and long chain triglyceride emulsion consisting of structured triglycerides (ST) with a long chain triglyceride (LCT) emulsion in terms of effects on nitrogen balance, energy metabolism and safety. METHODS: 30 ICU patients with sepsis or multiple injury received a fat emulsion with ST or 20% LCT (1.5 g triglycerides/kg body weight/day) as a component of total parenteral nutrition (TPN), for 5 days in a double blind randomised parallel group design. The main analysis was made on the 3 day per protocol population due to lack of patients at day 5. RESULTS: There were no differences in baseline characteristics of the two groups receiving either the LCT or the ST emulsion. The efficacy analysis was performed on the per protocol population (n=9 ST, n=11 LCT). There was a significant difference between the two treatments regarding daily nitrogen balances when the first 3 days were analysed P=0.0038). This resulted in an amelioration of the nitrogen balance on day 3 in the group on ST as compared to those on LCT (0.1+/-2.4 g vs -9.9+/-2.1 g P=0.01). The 3 day cumulative nitrogen balance was significantly better in the group receiving ST compared to those on LCT (-0.7+/-6.0 vs -16.7+/-3.9 P=0.03). This better cumulative nitrogen balance on day 3 was also preserved as a tendency (P=0.061) in the analysis of the intention to treat population, but on day 5 there was no significant difference (P=0.08). The ST emulsion was well tolerated and no difference was found compared to the LCT emulsion regarding respiratory quotient, energy expenditure, glucose or triglyceride levels during infusion. CONCLUSION: Administration of a structured triglyceride emulsion resulted in an amelioration of nitrogen balance despite no effect on energy expenditure in short term administration over 3 days to ICU patients when compared to a long chain triglyceride emulsion. No side effects linked to medium chain triglycerides were noted.