Fatty acid composition of platelet membrane lipids after administration of two different fat emulsions in critically ill patients.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects on platelet membrane fatty acid composition following administration of two different fat emulsions.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized, double-blind study.


METHODS
Intensive care unit in a university-affiliated hospital.


METHODS
12 adult critically ill patients in need of total parenteral nutrition.


METHODS
Patients were treated with total parenteral nutrition (TPN) for 7 days, receiving for fat intake either a long-chain triglyceride (20% LCT) emulsion (group 1, n=6) or a medium-chain triglyceride-LCT (20% MCT/LCT) emulsion (group 2, n=6).


RESULTS
High-performance liquid chromatography of membrane fatty acids was carried out before and after 7 days of TPN. In the LCT group, an increase in C18:2n-6 and a decrease in caprylic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, which resulted in a decreased ratio of n-3/n-6 fatty acid content, was observed. In the MCT/LCT group, a reduced percentage of palmitoleic acid and arachidonic acid was shown.


CONCLUSIONS
The observed changes in fatty acid composition are in agreement with the lipid composition of the fat emulsions used. Because the C18:2n-6/C18:3n-3 ratio in both emulsions is close (approximately 9.0), the observed changes in the fatty acid composition of platelets may not be relevant for platelet function.
Planas
M
M
Intensive Care Unit, Hospital General Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.
Porta
I
I
Sagristá
M L
ML
Mora
M
M
Padró
J B
JB
Picó
M
M
D018806:APACHE; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000737:chemistry*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total; D011446:Prospective Studies
D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous; D005227:Fatty Acids; D008563:Membrane Lipids