Effect of fat emulsions containing medium-chain triglycerides and glucose on ketone body production and excretion.

The parenteral application of fat emulsions containing medium-chain triglycerides results in an increase of ketone bodies as expression of the rapid metabolism of medium-chain triglycerides. Although ketoacidosis could not be watched, it should be of advantage to reduce the ketonemia. This might be reached by application of carbohydrates. The simultaneous infusion of glucose--given to 10 healthy persons--together with a 10% fat emulsion containing 75% medium-chain triglycerides almost completely inhibited the increase of ketone bodies in serum and its urinary excretion. Other prosperous metabolic effects, eg, the rapid clearance of the triglycerides from the serum were not affected by this regimen.