This study compared the effects of two different intravenous fat emulsions, a medium- and long-chain triglyceride emulsion (MCT/LCT) and a fish oil-based emulsion, in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and sepsis. Forty patients were divided into four groups receiving one of the emulsions. The study found that sepsis patients receiving the MCT/LCT emulsion had higher grades of liver steatosis on ultrasound on days 7 and 10 compared to those receiving the fish oil emulsion. Inflammatory markers like TNF-α and IL-6 were also higher in the MCT/LCT sepsis group on day 7. The fish oil emulsion appeared to have anti-inflammatory and hepat
The effects of curcumin supplementation on liver enzymes, lipidwahyu purnama
Similar to Comparison of the effects of different intravenous fat emulsions in patients with sirs and sepsis. nutr clin pract 2011-sungurtekin-665-71 (20)
The effects of curcumin supplementation on liver enzymes, lipid
Comparison of the effects of different intravenous fat emulsions in patients with sirs and sepsis. nutr clin pract 2011-sungurtekin-665-71
1. Nutrition in Clinical Practice http://ncp.sagepub.com/
Comparison of the Effects of Different Intravenous Fat Emulsions in Patients With Systemic
Inflammatory Response Syndrome and Sepsis
Hulya Sungurtekin, Sezai Degirmenci, Ugur Sungurtekin, Berna Elibol Oguz, Nuran Sabir and Bunyamin Kaptanoglu
Nutr Clin Pract 2011 26: 665
DOI: 10.1177/0884533611418783
The online version of this article can be found at:
http://ncp.sagepub.com/content/26/6/665
Published by:
http://www.sagepublications.com
On behalf of:
The American Society for Parenteral & Enteral Nutrition
Additional services and information for Nutrition in Clinical Practice can be found at:
Email Alerts: http://ncp.sagepub.com/cgi/alerts
Subscriptions: http://ncp.sagepub.com/subscriptions
Reprints: http://www.sagepub.com/journalsReprints.nav
Permissions: http://www.sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav
>> Version of Record - Dec 28, 2011
What is This?
Downloaded from ncp.sagepub.com by Javier Restrepo on January 9, 2013
3. 666 Nutrition in Clinical Practice / Vol. 26, No. 6, December 2011
During the sepsis process, hepatic dysfunction has a Patients were assigned to receive PN employing
common manifestation, ranging from mild elevation of either the MCT/LCT fat infusion (Lipofundin 20% 500 mL;
serum bilirubin and/or liver enzymes to severe hepatic B. Braun Melsungen AG, Melsungen, Germany) or the
failure.5 The pathophysiology of liver injury is multifacto- fish oil–based ω-3 fat infusion (Omegaven 10% 100 mL;
rial and involves metabolic disturbances, drugs, infection, Fresenius Kabi, Linz, Austria) via central venous catheter
and a large spectrum of inflammatory mediators in sep- over 7 days. Patients were divided into 4 groups according
sis.6 Steatosis is also evident in the liver of most septic to both PN methods, which were given to each sepsis and
patients. Koskinos et al7 reported in their study that most SIRS patient. Groups were defined as follows:
patients had moderate to severe fatty liver change com-
prising 40%–80% of the liver parenchyma. It is known Group 1 (group S1): patients with sepsis were given a
that sepsis, bacterial toxins, drugs, and PN may cause 0.6-g/kg MCT/LCT-based fat emulsion (Lipofundin
macrovesicular or microvesicular steatosis,8 and hypoxia 20% 500 mL; B. Braun Melsungen).
may play a role in these cases. Alwayn et al,9,10 who Group 2 (group S2): patients with sepsis were given a
reported that a fish oil–based fat emulsion attenuated 0.6-g/kg ω-3-based fat emulsion, fish oil emulsion
fatty liver changes and prevented steatosis in mice, also (Omegaven 10% 100 mL; Fresenius Kabi).
demonstrated that fish oil supplementation in mice with Group 3 (group SR1): patients with SIRS were given a
preexisting macrovesicular hepatic steatosis resulted in 0.6-g/kg MCT/LCT-based fat emulsion (Lipofundin
marked reversal of steatosis and reduction of liver 20% 500 mL; B. Braun Melsungen).
enzymes. Parenteral fish oil may prevent hepatic steatosis Group 4 (group SR2): patients with SIRS were given a
and PN-associated cholestasis.11,12 0.6-g/kg ω-3-based fat emulsion, fish oil emulsion
This study was designed to compare the effect of both (Omegaven 10% 100 mL; Fresenius Kabi).
fish oil–based fat emulsions and MCT/LCT-based fat emul-
sions on laboratory parameters such as liver function tests, All fat emulsions were infused over 24 hours. Daily nutri-
serum lipid profile, inflammation, degree of liver steatosis, tion composition other than fat was calculated as 20%
and cytokine balance in sepsis and SIRS patient groups. glucose (4 g/kg) and 10% arachidonic acid (1.5 g/kg).
Because of insufficient reported trials, we evaluated liver The patient’s age, gender, height, and weight were
steatosis with bedside ultrasound in all patients with sepsis recorded at admission. In addition, data were collected on
and SIRS who were given different fat emulsions. days 0, 1, 3, 7, and 10. Clinical status (SIRS or sepsis) and
Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation
(APACHE)–II score were recorded. Patients’ nasopharyn-
Materials and Methods geal temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pres-
sure, and central venous pressure (via jugular venous
This study was a prospective, randomized investigation catheter) were monitored (Datex-Ohmeda modular moni-
comparing effects of parenteral fish oil vs MCT/LCT tor, Helsinki, Finland). Laboratory analysis was done in the
emulsion administered to ICU patients with sepsis and central laboratory of the university hospital, including
SIRS. The Ethics Committee from the Pamukkale complete blood count; blood levels of urea nitrogen, glu-
University Medical Faculty approved the study. Written cose, sodium, potassium, calcium, aspartate amino trans-
informed consent was obtained from each patient or ferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), γ-glutamyl
patient’s relative. transferase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), choles-
Forty SIRS and sepsis patients who needed PN were terol, triglycerides (TGs), activated partial thromboplastin
enrolled in the study between November 2006 and time, albumin, and C-reative protein. An arterial blood gas
January 2008. The American College of Chest Physicians/ was also analyzed. Blood sugar analyses were obtained at
Society of Critical Care Medicine consensus classifica- 8 am for all patients. Blood samples were centrifuged at
tion was used for diagnosing SIRS and sepsis.13 Sepsis 1500 g for 5 minutes (Rotina 35; Cheftich Zentrifugen,
was defined as suspected or proven infection plus SIRS Hennigsdorf, Berlin, Germany), and serum for cytokine
(ie, presence of pyrexia, tachycardia, tachypnea, and/or was collected in sterile tubes. Serum samples were stored
leukocytosis). Patients younger than 18 years or with at –85°C until assayed in the Nu-6511E (Nuare, Tokyo,
known or suspected pregnancy were excluded from the Japan). CRP was measured using a routine turbidimetry
study. Other exclusion criteria were treatment with major assay (ILAD-900; Instrumentation Laboratory, Milan,
immunosuppressive drugs, infection with human immu- Italy); a value >10 mg/L was considered abnormally ele-
nodeficiency virus, unstable diabetes mellitus, recent vated. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)–α, interleukin (IL)–1,
myocardial infarction (within past 3 months), stroke, IL-6, and IL-10 were measured using industrially available
severe hematological diseases, and hypertriglyceridemia cheluminesan kits (IMMULITE BIODPC IMMULITE
(ie, plasma triglyceride levels >500 mg/dL). 1000 machine with kits for Immulite TNF-α, Immulite
Downloaded from ncp.sagepub.com by Javier Restrepo on January 9, 2013
4. Nutrition and Intravenous Fat Emulsion / Sungurtekin et al 667
Table 1. Demographic Values of Patients in SIRS and Sepsis Groups
Group SR1 Group SR2 Group S1 Group S2
(n = 10) (n = 10) (n = 10) (n = 10) P Value
Age, y 61.40 ± 13.25 54.00 ± 20.54 69.60 ± 13.00 44.40 ± 16.80 NS
Length, cm 166.60 ± 6.40 168.00 ± 5.75 162.70 ± 7.30 169.00 ± 7.37 NS
Body weight, kg 72.70 ± 9.44 71.70 ± 12.41 74.10 ± 13.53 75.00 ± 13.33 NS
Gender, M/F, No. 6/4 7/3 4/6 7/3 NS
Values reported as mean ± SEM unless otherwise indicated. S, sepsis group; SIRS, systemic inflammatory response syndrome; SR,
SIRS group.
Table 2. Patients’ Admission Diagnoses
Group SR1 Group SR2 Group S1 Group S2
1 ARF Postoperative acute abdomen Pneumonia UTI
2 COPD Trauma UTE Pneumonia
3 ARDS Cardiac arrest Pneumonia Pulmonary tuberculosis
4 CHF ACS Pneumonia Peritonitis
5 CHF ARDS Pneumonia Pneumonia
6 ACS Intoxication Pneumonia Peritonitis
7 DKA Postoperative acute abdomen IC abscess Peritonitis
8 CHF MI Pneumonia Pneumonia
9 ARF ARF Pneumonia Pneumonia
10 Trauma ARDS Pneumonia Peritonitis
ACS, acute coronary syndrome; ARDS, acute respiratory syndrome; ARF, acute renal failure; CHF, congestive heart failure; COPD,
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; DKA, diabetic ketoacidosis; IC, intracranial; MI, myocardial infarction; S, sepsis group;
SIRS, systemic inflammatory response syndrome; SR, SIRS group; UTI, urinary tract infection.
IL-1, Immulite IL-6, and Immulite IL-10; Medical CRP, TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, IL-10, and APACHE II scores.
Solutions Diagnostics SIEMENS, Surrey, UK; Dade Grade of liver ultrasound values was compared using the
Behring Diagnostik, İstanbul, Türkiye). χ2 test. A value of P < .05 was accepted as statistical sig-
Initially and on days 1, 3, 7, and 10, the grade of fatty liver nificance. Data are presented as mean ± SEM or percent-
was evaluated by the same person with a bedside ultrasound. age.
Evaluation of fatty infiltration was classified as follows13:
Grade 0: normal echogenicity, with the diaphragm and Results
intrahepatic vessel wall normal in appearance
Grade I: mild diffuse increase in echogenicity, with There was no significant difference in demographics
normal visualization in the intrahepatic vessels and between SIRS and sepsis groups according to the fat
diaphragm emulsion (Table 1; P > .05). Admission diagnoses of
Grade II: moderate increase in echogenicity, with slight patients are shown in Table 2.
impairment in visualizing the hepatic vessels and There was no statistically significant difference in
diaphragm terms of WBC count; serum levels of AST, ALT, GGT, or
Grade III: significant increase in echogenicity, with poor CRP; and APACHE II scores between different feeding
visualization of the hepatic vessels and diaphragm groups of patients with sepsis and SIRS. Serum LDH and
TG values were significantly high on days 7 and 10 (P <
Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS (version .05) for the SIRS group fed with MCT/LCT (group SR1)
15.0; SPSS, Inc, an IBM Company, Chicago, IL). Within but were significantly high only on day 7 in the sepsis
the same diagnostic groups, a paired t test was used for group fed with MCT/LCT (group S1; Table 3).
comparisons between age, height, weight, white blood Grade of liver ultrasound values did not differ between
cells (WBCs), AST, ALT, GGT, LDH, cholesterol, TGs, groups of SIRS patients according to the fat type, but
Downloaded from ncp.sagepub.com by Javier Restrepo on January 9, 2013
5. 668 Nutrition in Clinical Practice / Vol. 26, No. 6, December 2011
Table 3. Patients’ Recorded Data
Group SR1 Group SR2 Group S1 Group S2
APACHE 20.50 ± 3.68 19.80 ± 3.48 28.00 ± 3.80 21.90 ± 5.15
AST
Initial 91.50 ± 70.31 62.20 ± 53.13 58.10 ± 40.50 46.10 ± 21.44
Day 1 69.40 ± 52.66 68.60 ± 48.50 52.80 ± 43.01 62.00 ± 42.46
Day 3 67.30 ± 68.53 59.9 ± 39.18 49.80 ± 39.80 62.10 ± 33.10
Day 7 44.00 ± 36.20 53.11 ± 39.50 35.60 ± 22.04 60.33 ± 39.32
Day 10 40.66 ± 40.52 52.75 ± 29.12 32.66 ± 28.9 51.83 ± 19.01
ALT
Initial 62.20 ± 46.43 55.50 ± 48.55 47.20 ± 55.85 57.80 ± 50.86
Day 1 65.10 ± 44.28 69.00 ± 56.84 45.60 ± 47.42 56.80 ± 51.90
Day 3 59.10 ± 44.76 53.80 ± 35.96 42.10 ± 46.74 50.80 ± 42.84
Day 7 45.83 ± 34.30 47.11 ± 33.80 47.40 ± 25.03 49.88 ± 38.58
Day 10 41.00 ± 26.03 48.50 ± 33.93 35.66 ± 31.46 42.00 ± 33.98
LDH
Initial 412.00 ± 181.49 350.50 ± 187.14 317.60 ± 90.09 301.30 ± 69.09
Day 1 396.00 ± 149.52 288.40 ± 117.45 311.50 ± 102.55 323.40 ± 72.58
Day 3 415.80 ± 151.36 250.40 ± 89.49 346.40 ± 118.63 282.10 ± 50.75
Day 7 440.33 ± 207.45 216.44 ± 63.90* 401.00 ± 156.26 242.22 ± 46.63*
Day 10 481.66 ± 224.82 214.75 ± 59.91* 399.00 ± 80.91 198.50 ± 42.69
TG
Initial 139.20 ± 51.03 121.30 ± 39.14 158.30 ± 50.43 153.90 ± 57.91
Day 1 148.70 ± 35.50 130.60 ± 27.45 203.90 ± 116.11 150.20 ± 53.59
Day 3 168.30 ± 58.51 131.70 ± 29.18 235.10 ± 155.32 150.30 ± 60.93
Day 7 179.16 ± 58.89 126.88 ± 27.52* 239.20 ± 206.62 140.22 ± 54.61*
Day 10 180.50 ± 53.24 135.75 ± 29.13* 179.33 ± 89.36 143.83 ± 37.96
Values reported as mean ± SEM. ALT, alanine aminotransferase; APACHE, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation; AST,
aspartate aminotransferase; LDH, lactic dehydrogenase; S, sepsis group; SIRS, systemic inflammatory response syndrome; SR, SIRS
group; TG, triglyceride.
*P < .05 (SR1 vs SR2 or S1 vs S2).
Table 4. Liver Ultrasound Grade Values of Patients in the Sepsis Groups
Grade 0 Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 P Value
Initial Group S1 4 (40) 5 (50) 1 (10) 0 NS
Group S2 3 (30) 7 (70) 0 0
Day 1 Group S1 0 7 (70) 3 (30) 0 NS
Group S2 3 (30) 6 (60) 1 (10) 0
Day 3 Group S1 0 1 (10) 9 (90) 0 NS
Group S2 3 (30) 3 (30) 4 (40) 0
Day 7 Group S1 0 (25) 0 (18) 3 (60) 2 (40) .047
Group S2 2 (25) 4 (50) 2 (25) 0
Day 10 Group S1 0 0 0 3 (10) .029
Group S2 1 (17) 3 (50) 2 (33) 0
Values presented as No. (%). S, sepsis group.
these values were different in the sepsis groups. ference in cytokine values for different days in the sepsis
Specifically, the septic patients who received MCT/LCT groups. TNF-α and IL-6 values in group S1 were higher
fat emulsion had significantly higher grades of fatty liver than in group S2 on day 7, IL-6 values in group S1 were
on ultrasound on days 7 and 10 than did septic patients higher than in group S2 on day 10, and IL-1 values in
who received the fish oil emulsion. group S1 were higher on days 3, 7, and 10 than in group
Although there was no statistically significant differ- S2. Conversely, IL-10 values on days 3 and 7 were sig-
ence between groups SR1 and SR2 for TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, nificantly higher in group S2. Details are provided in
and IL-10 values, there was a statistically significant dif- Table 5.
Downloaded from ncp.sagepub.com by Javier Restrepo on January 9, 2013
6. Nutrition and Intravenous Fat Emulsion / Sungurtekin et al 669
Table 5. Cytokine Values of Patients in the Sepsis and the other diagnostic criteria of sepsis are plasma CRP
Groups >2 SD above the normal value.14 Wang et al16 compared
groups of patients with SIRS receiving PN with either a
Group S1 Group S2 fish oil–based or a soybean oil–based fat emulsion. They
(n = 10) (n = 10) P Value
showed no statistically significant difference in WBC
TNF-α count and CRP value among both groups. Madeleine17
Initial 28.00 ± 18.29 24.17 ± 30.40 NS evaluated 24 malnourished patients requiring PN who
Day 1 27.16 ± 20.72 23.61 ± 15.30 NS were randomly assigned to receive a daily infusion of
Day 3 33.43 ± 33.12 29.44 ± 24.12 NS either MCT-LCT or LCT but found no statistically sig-
Day 7 34.37 ± 20.82 12.71 ± 6.47 .01 nificant difference between groups for WBC count. Mayer
Day 10 29.63 ± 11.06 8.88 ± 3.28 NS et al18 determined a decrease in WBC count and CRP
IL-1
value within days in patients with septic shock who
Initial 7.26 ± 4.22 6.31 ± 4.14 NS
received the ω-3 and ω-6 fat emulsion, and another group
Day 1 9.00 ± 8.56 6.64 ± 4.74 NS
Day 3 13.45 ± 17.86 6.15 ± 2.52 .003 reported the same result in patients with septic shock and
Day 7 6.20 ± 2.58 5.0 ± 0.0 .014 acute peritonitis who received olive oil, but in both groups,
Day 10 8.00 ± 3.36 5.0 ± 0.0 .006 there were no statistically significant differences.19 In our
IL-6 study, WBC count and CRP were reduced similarly in a
Initial 131.50 ± 154.91 126.96 ± 307.16 NS number of days in patients with SIRS and sepsis, but the
Day 1 173.67 ± 316.75 128.20 ± 155.05 NS differences were not statistically significant.
Day 3 253.89 ± 397.04 214.06 ± 309.97 NS Parenteral LCTs, derived from soya oil or safflower oil,
Day 7 502.78 ± 460.89 51.65 ± 53.25 .001 have a high ratio of ω-6 to ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids
Day 10 392.53 ± 526.30 31.58 ± 36.44 .002 (PUFAs; 7:1). This has been considered a disadvantage
IL-10
that might encourage the overproduction of proinflamma-
Initial 21.78 ± 21.34 26.66 ± 16.26 NS
tory eicosanoids and increase oxidative stress in clinical
Day 1 24.62 ± 42.51 58.65 ± 71.52 NS
Day 3 25.47 ± 15.68 51.83 ± 95.44 .047 situations (eg, sepsis and trauma) that are already domi-
Day 7 20.58 ± 10.80 46.46 ± 31.98 .001 nated by imbalanced immune responses. Fish oil contain-
Day 10 24.56 ± 8.55 42.52 ± 30.69 NS ing PN has been used in surgical patients demonstrating
possible improvements in immune function and reduced
Values reported as mean ± SEM. IL, interleukin; S, sepsis; inflammation, which may lead to a shorter stay in the ICU
TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor–α.
and in the hospital.20,21 Although not many studies have
been reported about fish oil–containing fat emulsions in
the ICU, 2 studies by Mayer et al15,18 described diminished
inflammation, including reduced TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8,
Discussion and IL-10 production by cultured monocytes, in septic
patients receiving a soybean oil–fish oil mix compared to
SIRS with infection is defined as sepsis.14 Hemodynamic, those receiving soybean oil alone, which did not reveal any
metabolic, and immune changes in the organism during clinical outcomes. Heller et al22 studied different patient
sepsis occur through mediators and cytokines, which take groups with abdominal sepsis, multiple trauma, and severe
part in intracellular signal transduction. Although some head injury with a parenteral ω-3 infusion. They found a
mediators have a proinflammatory response (TNF-α, significantly lower rate of infection and shorter lengths of
IL-1, IL-8), others have an anti-inflammatory response ICU and hospital stays in those patients receiving more
(IL-4, IL-10). Diets with a specific fat composition may than 0.05 g fish oil/kg/d. Nevertheless, mortality was sig-
manipulate immunologic and inflammatory events. nificantly decreased in those patients who received more
Eicosanoids have been involved in both proinflammatory than 0.1 g fish oil/kg/d. These data strongly suggest a
and anti-inflammatory events in sepsis. The most impor- clinical benefit from the inclusion of long-chain ω-3
tant members of the ω-3 fatty acids are eicosapentaenoic PUFAs in PN given to critically ill patients. These results
acid and docosahexaenoic acid. Major sources of ω-3 were also supported by using fish oil in PN in severe pan-
fatty acids are cold-water fish and seal meat, and ω-3 fatty creatitis, leading to decreased inflammatory response,
acids may serve as alternative lipid precursors for both improved respiratory function, and shortened continuous
cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways.15 Diet fat renal replacement therapy time.16 Friesecke et al23 exam-
composition may also affect hepatobiliary function. In ined the effects of fish oil on 166 consecutive patients
this study, we evaluated different fat nutrition in septic admitted to the ICU who were randomly assigned to
and SIRS patients. receive either an MCT/LCT emulsion with an ω-3/ω-6
One of the diagnostic criteria of SIRS is abnormal PUFA ratio of 1:7 or the same emulsion supplemented
WBC count (>12,000/µL or <4000/µL or >10% bands), with fish oil, with an ω-3/ω-6 PUFA ratio of 1:2. They
Downloaded from ncp.sagepub.com by Javier Restrepo on January 9, 2013
7. 670 Nutrition in Clinical Practice / Vol. 26, No. 6, December 2011
reported no differences between MCT–soybean oil and significantly high in both SIRS and sepsis groups fed with
MCT–soybean oil–fish oil given over 7 days in medical MCT/LCT on day 7, and an increase of this value also
ICU patients in several outcomes, including immune was established on day 10 in the SIRS groups.
markers, inflammatory markers, bleeding, ventilation The manufacturer (Fresenius Kabi) does not recom-
requirement, number of infections and length of ICU stay, mend fish oil–based fat emulsions as a nutrition mono-
or mortality. Therefore, there is inadequate and conflicting therapy. Theoretically, fish oils may cause oxidative stress,
information on the influence of fish oil–containing PN on but lipid peroxidation products do not accumulate in liver
markers of inflammation and on clinical end points in sep- tissue after parenteral fish oil administration. On the
tic ICU patients. In our study, sepsis and SIRS patients fed other hand, parenteral fish oils are enriched with high
with MCT/LCT had higher proinflammatory cytokine levels of the antioxidant a-tocopherol (150–296 mg/mL)
(TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6) values and lower anti-inflamma- to counteract this possible oxidative risk. The other way
tory cytokine (IL-10) values than patients fed with fish oil, to minimize oxidative stress is the partial replacement of
but statistical significance was seen only at the middle and PUFA-rich oils with alternative fatty acid sources, such as
end of the study periods in the septic groups. As well, the MCTs, which are more resistant to oxidative damage.
results of our study support that fish oil may be signifi- MCT/LCT emulsion includes 100 mg/mL a-tocopherol.
cantly more effective than MCT/LCT fat emulsion, espe- In our study, the small differences in vitamin E content in
cially in infectious conditions. the 2 emulsions did not affect our findings. The other
PN is life saving in patients unable to absorb adequate concern about monotherapy with fish oil is EFAD. In
enteral nutrients, usually secondary to insufficient intesti- humans, biochemical changes associated with EFAD can
nal length or function. However, prolonged use of PN has occur in infants in a few days and within several weeks in
been associated with hepatobiliary dysfunction, commonly older children and adults. EFAD typically occurs when
referred to as PN-associated liver disease (PNALD).24 <1%–2% of total calories are provided from essential fatty
PNALD is a spectrum of PN-associated hepatobiliary dis- acids. Adults have a larger storage of essential fatty acids,
orders, ranging from simple steatosis to cholestasis, chole- and symptoms of EFAD such as dry skin, alopecia, and
lithiasis, hepatic fibrosis, and ultimately progression to dermatitis rarely occur.27 Gura et al28 first described 2
cirrhosis, portal hypertension, and end-stage liver disease. infants with PNALD who were successfully treated with
Intrahepatic cholestasis is most often found in neonates a fish oil–based fat emulsion, as demonstrated by nor-
and infants, whereas steatosis is the most common finding malization of direct bilirubin levels from >2 mg/dL to
in adults.25 Septic episodes are also one of the risk factors normal. Their article showed that parenteral fish oil
for the development of PNALD.25 PN is typically applied in monotherapy at a dosage of 1 g/kg/d did not cause EFAD,
a mixture with a parenteral fat emulsion to provide a even in a patient who received no enteral nutrition. Puder
source of nonprotein calories and prevent essential fatty et al29 did an open-label trial of a pure fish oil–based fat
acid deficiency (EFAD). Proinflammatory metabolites of emulsion in 42 infants with short bowel syndrome who
ω-6 fatty acids,24 decreased hepatic clearance of the paren- developed cholestasis (serum direct bilirubin >2 mg/dL)
teral lipid,26 and phytosterols found in soybean-derived while receiving a soybean oil–based fat emulsion. Findings
lipids have been shown to be associated with PNALD. revealed that fish oil–based fat emulsion was well toler-
Fish oil–based emulsions address these problems: ω-3 ated and may be effective in treating PNALD while
fatty acid metabolites are less involved in the inflamma- reducing mortality and organ transplantation rates in
tory response than are ω-6 fatty acid metabolites, and children with short bowel syndrome. In another study, de
animal models have shown that parenteral fish oil does Meijer et al30 evaluated 10 PN-dependent pediatric
not impair biliary secretion and may prevent steatosis.9,12 patients dosed at 1 g/kg/d on fish oil monotherapy for
Araya et al,12 who studied 11 control subjects and 19 evidence of EFAD, and fish oil–based fat emulsions were
patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, reported found to contain a sufficient amount of essential fatty
that in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, the acids to prevent biochemical or clinical EFAD and main-
levels of PUFAs in the liver, total lipids, triacylglycerols tain growth in PN-dependent patients. These authors
(triglycerides), and phospholipids in relation to those in followed patients for 18.4 weeks, and no other side
adipose tissue and the hepatic indexes related to oxidative effects developed from using monotherapy in the study
stress were factors that contributed to hepatic steatosis, groups. Although there is no information about dosing of
which has been scored histologically as absent (0), mild fish oil monotherapy to prevent EFAD in adults, we used
(1), moderate (2), and severe (3). We used ultrasono- fish oil 0.6 g/kg/d during the study, which was less than
graphic evaluation for assessing liver steatosis and deter- the previously reported doses in infants. No other side
mined fatty liver in septic patients given MCT/LCT on the effects developed from using the monotherapy in our
last day of PN (day 7) and on day 10, but there was no study. In our study, patients were given study nutrient for
difference between SIRS patients according to their fat 7 days. We suggest laboratory analysis for longer periods
composition of PN. Moreover, triglyceride values were for this dose of fish oil or nutrition in terms of EFAD.
Downloaded from ncp.sagepub.com by Javier Restrepo on January 9, 2013
8. Nutrition and Intravenous Fat Emulsion / Sungurtekin et al 671
This study, which evaluated fish oil monotherapy in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Clin Sci (Lond).
SIRS and septic patients, had several limitations. First, 2004;106:635-643.
13. Wilson SR, Rosen IE, Chin-Sang HB, Arenson AM. Fatty infiltra-
the sample size was relatively small because of cost. tion of the liver: an imaging challenge. J Can Assoc Radiol. 1982;
Other similar studies in the literature had approximately 33(4):227-232.
the same number of patients. However, despite the small 14. Levy MM, Fink MP, Marshall JC, et al. 2001 SCCM/ESICM/
sample size, significant effects on plasma cytokines and ACCP/ATS/SIS International Sepsis Definitions Conference. Crit
hepatic ultrasound values were observed. Also, the labora- Care Med. 2003;31(4):1250-1256.
15. Mayer K, Gokorsch S, Fegbeutel C, Hattar K. Parenteral nutrition
tory examination (triene:tetraene ratio, which may be with fish oil modulates cytokine response in patients with sepsis.
used as a diagnostic marker for EFAD) may be done for Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2003;167(10):1321-1328.
objective results for EFAD. The other concern was the 16. Wang X, Li W, Li N, Li J. ω 3 Fatty acids–supplemented parenteral
dose of fish oil. We used a dose that was less than the nutrition decreases hyperinflammatory response and attenuates
dose used in other monotherapy studies.28-30 Our study systemic disease sequelae in severe acute pancreatitis: a rand-
omized and controlled study. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr.
patients (septic and SIRS patients), however, were differ- 2008;32:236-241.
ent from patients in other monotherapy studies, and it 17. Madeleine JB. Hematological and biochemical effects of paren-
was difficult to decide a dose for septic patients because teral nutrition with medium-chain triglycerides: comparison with
there is no recommended dose for these patients receiv- long-chain triglycerides. Am Soc Clin Nutr. 1991;53:916-922.
ing monotherapy. 18. Mayer K, Fegbeutel C, Hattar K, et al. ω-3 vs. ω-6 lipid emulsions
exert differential influence on neutrophils in septic shock patients:
In conclusion, fish oil–based fat emulsions might impact on plasma fatty acids and lipid mediator generation.
have anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects in Intensive Care Med. 2003;29:1472-1481.
hyperinflammatory disease such as sepsis. The optimal 19. Reimund JM, Arondel Y, Joly F, Messing B, Duclos B, Baumann R.
ω-6/ω-3 ratio remains to be defined, and a well-designed Potential usefulness of olive oil–based lipid emulsions in selected
prospective randomized controlled trial is necessary to situations of home parenteral nutrition–associated liver disease.
Clin Nutr. 2004;23:1418-1425.
evaluate the safety and efficacy of ω-3 fatty acids for PN. 20. Weiss G, Meyer F, Matthies B, Pross M, Koenig W, Lippert H.
Immunomodulation by perioperative administration of n-3 fatty
acids. Br J Nutr. 2002;87:S89-S94.
References 21. Wachtler P, Konig W, Senkal M, Kemen M, Koller M. Influence of
a total parenteral nutrition enriched with ω-3 fatty acids on leuko-
1. Jones NE, Heyland DK. Pharmaconutrition: a new emerging para- triene synthesis of peripheral leukocytes and systemic cytokine
digm. Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2008;24(2):215-222. levels in patients with major surgery. J Trauma. 1997;42:191-198.
2. Furst P, Kuhn KS. Fish oil emulsions: what benefits can they 22. Heller AR, Rossler S, Litz RJ, et al. Omega-3 fatty acids improve
bring? Clin Nutr. 2000;19:7-14. the diagnosis-related clinical outcome. Crit Care Med.
3. Calder PC. Rationale for using new lipid emulsions in parenteral 2006;34:972-979.
nutrition and a review of the trials performed in adults. Proc Nutr 23. Friesecke S, Lotze C, Köhler J, Heinrich A, Felix SB, Abel P. Fish
Soc. 2009;68:252-260. oil supplementation in the parenteral nutrition of critically ill
4. Sadeghi S, Wallace FA, Calder PC. Dietary lipids modify the medical patients: a randomised controlled trial. Intensive Care
cytokine response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide in mice. Med. 2008;34:1411-1420.
Immunology. 1999;96:404-410. 24. de Meijer VE, Gura KM, Meisel JA, Le HD, Puder M. Parenteral
5. Vermillion SE, Gregg JA, Baggenstoss AH, Bartholomew LG. fish oil monotherapy in the management of patients with parenteral
Jaundice associated with bacteremia. Arch Intern Med. nutrition–associated liver disease. Arch Surg. 2010;145(6):547-551.
1969;124:611-618. 25. Kelly DA. Liver complications of pediatric parenteral nutrition:
6. Pastor CM, Billiar TR, Losser MR, Payen DM. Liver injury during epidemiology. Nutrition. 1998;14(1):153-157.
sepsis. J Crit Care. 1995;10:183-197. 26. Zaman N, Tam YK, Jewell LD, Coutts RT. Effects of intravenous
7. Koskinas J, Gomatos IP, Tiniakos DG. Liver histology in ICU lipid as a source of energy in parenteral nutrition associated
patients dying from sepsis: a clinico-pathological study. World J hepatic dysfunction and lidocaine elimination: a study using isolated
Gastroenterol. 2008;14(9):1389-1393. rat liver perfusion. Biopharm Drug Dispos. 1997;18(9):803-819.
8. Ludwig J, Batts KP. Practical Liver Biopsy Interpretation: Diagnostic 27. Alfin-Slater RB, Aftergood L. Essential fatty acids reinvestigated.
Algorithms. 2nd ed. Chicago: ASCP Press; 1998:53-54. Physiol Rev. 1968;48:758-784.
9. Alwayn IP, Gura K, Nose V. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation 28. Gura KM, Duggan CP, Collier SB, et al. Reversal of parenteral
prevents hepatic steatosis in a murine model of nonalcoholic fatty nutrition–associated liver disease in two infants with short bowel
liver disease. Pediatr Res. 2005;57:445-452. syndrome using parenteral fish oil: implications for future manage-
10. Alwayn IP, Andersson C, Zauscher B. Omega-3 fatty acids improve ment. Pediatrics. 2006;118(1):197-201.
hepatic steatosis in a murine model: potential implications for the 29. Puder M, Valim C, Meisel JA, et al. Parenteral fish oil improves
marginal steatotic liver donor. Transplantation. 2005;79:606-608. outcomes in patients with parenteral nutrition–associated liver
11. Yeh SL, Chang KY, Huang PC, Chen WJ. Effects of n-3 and n-6 injury. Ann Surg. 2009;250(3):395-402.
fatty acids on plasma eicosanoids and liver antioxidant enzymes in 30. de Meijer VE, Le HD, Meisel JA, Gura KM, Puder M. Parenteral
rats receiving total parenteral nutrition. Nutrition. 1997;13:32-36. fish oil as monotherapy prevents essential fatty acid deficiency in
12. Araya J, Rodrigo R, Videla LA, et al. Increase in long-chain polyun- parenteral nutrition–dependent patients. J Pediatr Gastroenterol
saturated fatty acid n-6/n-3 ratio in relation to hepatic steatosis in Nutr. 2010;50(2):212-218.
Downloaded from ncp.sagepub.com by Javier Restrepo on January 9, 2013