Neutrophil functions during total parenteral nutrition and Intralipid infusion.

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) has been associated with an increased incidence of infection. To assess the hypothesis that TPN, and in particular one of its constituents, the rat emulsion Intralipid, might impair host defense, we investigated in vitro migration, bactericidal functions, and chemiluminescence of the neutrophil granulocyte in four patients with Crohn's disease, given TPN for up to 12 wk. No abnormal values were found during TPN, but both before and after, impaired migration was noted. Further, 10 volunteers were given 10% Intralipid (85 ml/h), and in blood samples obtained 2 h after discontinuation of the infusion, enhancements were recorded for migration stimulated with serum and the maximal chemiluminescence response (p less than 0.05, respectively). Thus, neither during TPN nor infusions of Intralipid were impairments of neutrophil migration or bactericidal functions noted, and it is suggested that other factors than effects on neutrophils must be sought to explain susceptibility to infection during TPN.