title: Lipid peroxidation of i.v. lipid emulsions in TPN bags: the influence of tocopherols.
abstract: Four commercial i.v. lipid emulsions containing soybean oil were investigated to determine the tocopherol content. A sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on a diol column was established to quantitate the tocopherol isomers in lipid emulsions. A previously described iodometric titration was used to assess the peroxide value (mmol peroxides/L). The pH was measured also. The initial tocopherol concentration ranges in three of the four commercial soybean oil-based 20% lipid emulsions studied were compared ([mg/L]: alpha: 17-23, beta: 4, gamma: 88-129, delta: 40-44). One product showed an increased alpha-tocopherol content (172 mg/L) due to supplementation during manufacture. During storage in an ethylvinyl acetate (EVA) bag at 40 degrees C under light-protection (LP) for 34 d, a lipid emulsion 20% with a natural alpha-tocopherol content showed a peroxide value (PV) of 9.18 (about 450 times the value of controls in glass bottles) with a concomittant reduction of the tocopherol isomers to 61.6% (alpha), 86.5% (gamma), and 88.9% (delta) compared to the initial values. Comparison of two lipid emulsions with different amounts of alpha-tocopherol (Lipidem 20%, B. Braun, Switzerland: 156.29 mg/L vs. Intralipid 20%, Pharmacia Upjohn, Switzerland: 8.75 mg/L) for their antioxidative capacity using the same stress conditions revealed for the emulsion with the high alpha-tocopherol content a significantly higher PV over the whole test period (after 5 wk: 33.63 vs. 6.23; P < 0.001) and an increased alpha-tocopherol decomposition (51.6% vs. 8.7%). The drop in pH was higher, also (1.9 vs. 1.0 pH units). In contrast to ordinary concentrations of about 20 mg/L, alpha-tocopherol in 20% lipid emulsions showing antioxidative properties, a supplementation with about 160 mg/L showed a prooxidative effect when exposed to ambient atmosphere in an EVA bag.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Kantonsspital Aarau, Switzerland.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Steger
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Mühlebach
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004355:Drug Stability; D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects*; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total / Q000295:instrumentation; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous; D014810:Vitamin E