Changes in red cell membrane fatty acids in patients receiving total parenteral nutrition supplemented with a safflower oil emulsion.

Previous studies in patients suffering from essential fatty acid deficiency (EFAD) have shown erythrocyte membrane fatty acids to change in parallel with those seen in plasma. A study was conducted to determine if this same relationship existed in patients that were not diagnosed as having EFAD. Three subjects maintained on parenteral nutrition were given 500 milliliters of a safflower oil emulsion twice weekly for 14 days. Plasma and red blood cell membrane fatty acids were determined before and after the study period. The red blood cell membrane fatty acids did not appear to follow the changes seen in the plasma. Changes that did occur in the erythrocyte membrane fatty acid composition were inconsistent between patients. The incorporation of plasma fatty acids into erythrocyte membranes may occur at a different rate for patients with EFAD compared to those without EFAD due to an increased red blood cell turnover associated with EFAD.