Similar liver function abnormalities occur in patients receiving glucose-based and lipid-based parenteral nutrition.

Biochemical and histopathological evidence of hepatic dysfunction has been associated with the use of glucose-based total parenteral nutrition (TPN). In the present study liver indices, SGOT, SGPT, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin, were analyzed retrospectively during the course of total parenteral nutrition in 40 patients; 15 patients received a glucose-based system and 25 received a lipid-based system. Transient elevations in at least one of the measured parameters were found in a majority of patients receiving either system. These data confirm previous reports of liver function test abnormalities in patients receiving glucose-based total parentual nutrition. However, in contrast to results from prior studies, these derangements also were observed during the administration of a nutritional support system using lipids as the primary source of calories.