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With Medium‐Chain Triglycerides, Higher and Faster Oxygen Radical Production by Stimulated Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes Occurs
Author(s) -
Kruimel Joanna W.,
Naber Anton H.,
Curfs Jo H.,
Wenker Mira A.,
Jansen Jan B.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of parenteral and enteral nutrition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.935
H-Index - 98
eISSN - 1941-2444
pISSN - 0148-6071
DOI - 10.1177/0148607100024002107
Subject(s) - radical , chemistry , glycerol , triglyceride , emulsion , oxygen , biochemistry , cholesterol , organic chemistry
Background: Parenteral lipid emulsions are suspected of suppressing the immune function. However, study results are contradictory and mainly concern the conventional long‐chain triglyceride emulsions. Methods: Polymorphonuclear leukocytes were preincubated with parenteral lipid emulsions. The influence of the lipid emulsions on the production of oxygen radicals by these stimulated leukocytes was studied by measuring chemiluminescence. Three different parenteral lipid emulsions were tested: long‐chain triglycerides, a physical mixture of medium‐ and long‐chain triglycerides, and structured triglycerides. Structured triglycerides consist of triglycerides where the medium‐ and long‐chain fatty acids are attached to the same glycerol molecule. Results: Stimulated polymorphonuclear leukocytes preincubated with the physical mixture of medium‐ and long‐chain triglycerides showed higher levels of oxygen radicals (p <.005) and faster production of oxygen radicals (p <.005) compared with polymorphonuclear leukocytes preincubated with long‐chain triglycerides or structured triglycerides. Additional studies indicated that differences in results of various lipid emulsions were not caused by differences in emulsifier. The overall production of oxygen radicals was significantly lower after preincubation with the three lipid emulsions compared with controls without lipid emulsion. Conclusions: A physical mixture of medium‐ and long‐chain triglycerides induced faster production of oxygen radicals, resulting in higher levels of oxygen radicals, compared with long‐chain triglycerides or structured triglycerides. This can be detrimental in cases where oxygen radicals play either a pathogenic role or a beneficial one, such as when rapid phagocytosis and killing of bacteria is needed. The observed lower production of oxygen radicals by polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the presence of parenteral lipid emulsions may result in immunosuppression by these lipids. (Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition 24:107–112, 2000)