title: Fat elimination in chronic hepatic failure: long-chain vs medium-chain triglycerides.
abstract: Elimination and hydrolysis of fat emulsions containing long-chain (LCT) or long- and medium-chain triglycerides (MCT, 50:50) were compared in eight patients with advanced chronic hepatic failure (CHF) and six healthy control subjects by using a two-stage constant infusion protocol. In control subjects clearance of MCT was slightly higher than that of LCT (1.93 +/- 0.34 vs 1.55 +/- 0.3 mL.kg-1.min-1, P < 0.05). The rise in plasma triglycerides was similar and the release of free fatty acids was higher during MCT (P < 0.02). In CHF patients, clearance of both LCT and MCT was comparable with that in healthy subjects and the rise in plasma triglycerides and release of free fatty acids was identical. We conclude that a clinically relevant infusion rates the elimination of lipid emulsions containing LCT or LCT and MCT and the release of free fatty acids thereof is not altered in patients with CHF and that intravenous lipids are a suitable source of energy and essential fatty acids (and phospholipids) for parenteral nutrition.
authors.affiliation: Medical Department III, Vienna General Hospital, Austria.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Druml
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pidlich
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lenz
mesh_terms: D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D002908:Chronic Disease; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005260:Female; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D007773:Lactates / Q000097:blood; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous; D007773:Lactates; D008055:Lipids; D008074:Lipoproteins; D014280:Triglycerides