Liver biochemical and histological changes with graded amounts of total parenteral nutrition
A. C. Campos, A. Oler, M. M. Meguid and T. Y. Chen
Department of Surgery, University Hospital, State University of New York-Health Science Center, Syracuse 13210.
We sought to determine whether an excess in energy intake as total
parenteral nutrition would result in liver biochemical and histological
changes in the presence of a functional gastrointestinal tract. Three
groups of rats were given amounts of total parenteral nutrition that
provided either 25% (total parenteral nutrition-25), 100% (total parenteral
nutrition-100), or 200% (total parenteral nutrition-200) of a rat's energy
requirements. Rat chow and water were available ad libitum. Food intake
decreased in proportion to the amount of total parenteral nutrition
infused; it ceased with total parenteral nutrition-200. Liver glycogen and
triglyceride concentrations were higher with high energy intake (total
parenteral nutrition-100 and total parenteral nutrition-200), while total
liver nitrogen concentrations remained unchanged. No cholestasis,
inflammation, or fibrosis was seen histologically. Fatty vacuoles were
increased with total parenteral nutrition (more so with total parenteral
nutrition-200) but a prompt return to normal liver features was observed
after cessation of total parenteral nutrition and the resumption of normal
food intake.
