Medium chain triglycerides in parenteral nutrition.

Until recently, medium chain triglycerides (MCT) have not been used in parenteral nutrition (PN) although they are considered to be ideal sources of energy on account of their biochemical properties. The tolerance and utilization of 10% fat emulsion with 75% MCT was tested on 10 healthy males after an overnight fast. During an infusion period of 6 hr the total fat supply rate was 0.12 g/kg body weight/hr. A commercial 10% fat emulsion (Lipofundin-S-10) served as control. The fat emulsion containing MCT was tolerated without any side effects. Compared with the commercial fat emulsion, the increase of triglycerides was markedly lower and clearing of the serum was completed earlier. By gas chromatographic analysis of the serum fatty acid pattern, medium chain fatty acids rapidly achieved a steady state. During infusion of the fat emulsion containing MCT, the production of ketone bodies was considerably higher although acidosis was not induced. The results obtained indicate that the fat solutions containing MCT bypass gluconeogenesis and are utilized quickly without side effects.