Hepatic Cytolytic and Cholestatic Changes Related to a Change of Lipid Emulsions in Four Long‐Term Parenteral Nutrition Patients With Short Bowel

Long‐term parenteral nutrition hepatic‐related impairment is commonly reported and diversely explained. However, with a low cyclic caloric intake (100% to 130% of basal metabolism calculated with the Harris‐Benedict formula) consisting of two‐thirds glucose, one‐third lipid, and 0.20 to 0.25 g of nitrogen per kilogram per day, these complications were infrequent in a clinical practice of home long‐term parenteral nutrition. Retrospectively, it was noticed that the switch from Intralipid 20% to Ivelip 20% at the same amount was followed within 2 months by four cases of jaundice in a population of four home long‐term parenteral nutrition patients with short bowel disease. Hepatic disturbances were characterized by cytolysis and cholestasis and were reversible after switching from Ivelip 20% back to Intralipid 20%. Neither viral, nor biliary, nor septic etiologies were detected. The exact pathological mechanism remains unknown. The basal composition of both lipid emulsions seems to be identical: soy oil emulsion emulsified by egg phospholipids. However, some differences exist such as the size of particles, the presence of sodium oleate in Ivelip 20%, and the purification process of lecithin. These may explain the difference in hepatic tolerance during long‐term parenteral nutrition. ( Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition 16:78–83, 1992)