[The effect of parenteral feeding on the metabolism of arachidonic acid in patients with cancer of the esophagus and the stomach].

Blood plasma and erythrocyte level of arachidonic acid (C20:4) and blood plasma level of its two metabolites (6-keto-PGF1 alpha and TXB2) have been investigated in 24 patients with esophageal and gastric cancer. In the preoperative period and during 8-10 days postoperatively 12 patients were on "glucose" energy supply (group I) and 12 patients were on "lipid" energy supply (group II). Daily calorie intake was 30-35 kcal/kg. In the preoperative period Lipofundin-S infusions produced a significant increase in C20:4 blood plasma and erythrocyte levels. An increase in TXB2 concentration was accompanied by a certain increase in 6-keto-PGF1 alpha content. At the same time in group I parenteral feeding caused no significant changes in the above parameters. Surgical trauma and anesthesia caused a considerable increase in 6-keto-PGF1 alpha blood plasma level in both groups (P less than 0.05), with a certain decrease in TXB2 level (P greater than 0.05). In the postoperative period, unlike "glucose", "lipid" energy supply stabilized C20:4 content in the erythrocyte membrane and favourably affected 6-keto-PGF1 alpha/TXB2 ratio. This is confirmed by a considerable increase in 6-keto-PGF1 alpha/TXB2 ratio, which in the course of the postoperative period was significantly higher in group II than in group I.