Short‐Term Effects of Fat Emulsion on Serum Lipids in Postoperative Patients

The effect of short‐term infusion of intravenous fat on serum lipids was assessed in 23 patients who had elective cancer operations and were given 20% Intralipid for 5 days postoperatively as part of a standard total parenteral nutrition regimen. Serum lipids were measured prior to, during and after the 5‐day infusion period. The percentage of cholesterol as high‐density lipoproteins (HDL) fell from a mean preinfusion value of 34.7 ± 2.8 to 27.9 ± 2.5 ( p < 0.05), while the percentage of cholesterol as low‐density lipoproteins (LDL) increased from 40.7 ± 2.2 to 46.8 ± 3.4 ( p < 0.05). Serum triglycerides fell significantly (p < 0.01) from 106.2 ± 13.7 mg/dl to 64.6 ± 8.8 mg/dl at 3 days, being 85.3 ± 3.7 mg/dl at 5 days. No significant change in percent cholesterol as very low‐density lipoproteins (VLDL), or levels of serum total cholesterol or phospholipids occurred. Lipoprotein X was detectable in six patients after 5 days. To study triglyceride clearance 1.7 g/kg of fat emulsion was infused over 8 hr and serial blood samples obtained. Within 3 hr of stopping the fat infusion, triglyceride levels had fallen to preinfusion values. (Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition 13:77–80, 1989)