Prevention of parenteral nutrition‐induced liver steatosis by lipid emulsion and retinaldehyde

Objective Hepatic steatosis is a crucial complication during parenteral nutrition (PN) therapy. Thus, we investigated whether lipid emulsion (LE, Intralipid®) or retinaldehyde (RALD) regulated hepatic lipid metabolism in PN‐fed mice. Methods Thirty‐two 8‐wk old C57BL/6 male mice were fed either a normal chow diet (control) or PN formula, and treated with or without RALD or LE for 4 wk. Results Body weight was significantly lost in PN+LE group, but not in other groups. Hepatic steatosis was observed in PN formula diet groups, and was less in PN+RALD, PN+LE or PN+LE+RALD group compared to PN group. Epididymal adipose tissue weight and adipocyte size in PN or PN+RALD group were greater than control. Liver total retinol concentration was increased ~1.5 fold in PN+RALD or PN+LE+RALD group and decreased by half in PN or PN+LE group vs. control. LRAT mRNA was increased 3 fold in PN or PN+RALD group. RALDH mRNA did not differ significantly among the groups, while CYP26A1 was increased ~3 fold in PN+RALD or PN+LE+RALD groups. FAS and PGC1α mRNA were increased 3~6 fold in PN groups. Conclusions We elucidated that PN formula diet induces lipid accumulation and the development of severe hepatic steatosis in mouse model. Our results suggested that RALD or LE treatment can ameliorate hepatic steatosis and/or lipid accumulation in PN‐fed mice. Grant Funding Source : Postdoctoral Fellowship from Baxter, Inc., and NIH CA90214