A clinical evaluation of safflower oil emulsion in total parenteral nutrition.

A new intravenous safflower oil emulsion (Liposyn, Abbott) was administered to 23 patients receiving total parenteral nutrition. In a prospective clinical trial, 500 ml of the 10% emulsion was administered each day for a minimum of 10 days. Plasma fatty acid estimations showed a rise in linoleic acid in 22 patients, and a fall in triene/tetraene ratio ( a guide to the presence of essential fatty acid deficiency), in 17 patients within four days of commencement of the infusion. Administration of Liposyn prevented the development of biochemical evidence of essential fatty acid deficiency. There were no clinical side effects attributable to the emulsion. Elevation of serum triglyceride and liver enzyme concentrations occurred in some patients.