The Effect of Three Intravenous Fat Emulsions Containing Different Concentrations of Linoleic and α‐Linolenic Acids on the Plasma Total Fatty Acid Profile of Neonates

Abstract

SummaryWe determined the fatty acid profile of total plasma lipids in infants who received one of three intravenous fat emulsions that differed primarily in their linoleic and α‐linolenic acid content: (I) a safflower oil emulsion, (II) a 50:50 mixture of safflower and soybean oils, or (III) a soybean oil emulsion. After 2 weeks of fat therapy, oleic acid, expressed as a percentage of total plasma lipid fatty acids, decreased in all groups, but less so in group III (p < 0.01). The linoleic acid percentage increased in all groups, but group I had the greatest increase (p < 0.05). Group II patients had higher percentages of the linoleic acid metabolites, dihomo–γ‐linolenic acid (II > I, p < 0.05; II > III, p < 0.01) and arachidonic acid (II > III, p < 0.05). Group II patients also had higher levels of α‐linolenic acid (II > I, p < 0.05) and its metabolite, eicosapentaenoic acid (II > I, p < 0.05). Another α‐linolenic acid metabolite, docosahexaenoic acid, however, increased in group III, remained stable in group II, and decreased in group I (III and II > I, p < 0.05). We conclude that the content of linoleic acid and α‐linolenic acid in intravenous fat emulsions results in statistically significant changes in the fatty acid profile of total plasma lipids in infants receiving total parenteral nutrition.