Metabolic effect of parenteral nutrition in dogs with obstructive jaundice.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effect of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) on macronutrient metabolism in obstructive jaundice.

METHODS

Forty adult mongrel dogs were equally divided into four groups: group I (PO-control) received sham ligation of common bile duct (CBDL) and was fed dog chow and water ad libitum; group II (PO-CBDL) underwent CBDL and was fed dog chow; group III (TPN-control) received sham CBDL and TPN; and group IV (TPN-CBDL) underwent CBDL and received TPN. Blood chemistries, plasma amino acids and liver histologies were studied before (Day 1) and at the end (Day 14) of the experiment.

RESULTS

A significant elevation of bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase was observed in dogs with CBDL. Blood glucose was not changed significantly in any group. Significant increases in triglyceride and cholesterol were present in CBDL dogs. Significant differences in the concentrations of a few plasma amino acids, including an elevation of phenylalanine, were found in TPN dogs. A significant increase in aromatic amino acids (AAA) and a noticeable depression of the molar ratio of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) to AAA was present in TPN-CBDL dogs, as was a significant increase in blood ammonia.

CONCLUSION

In the presence of obstructive jaundice, TPN does not significantly affect carbohydrate or lipid metabolism. However, a derangement in protein metabolism with the standard TPN solution in current use suggests that either a modification of amino acid composition or an increase in total energy to protein energy ratio in TPN solution may be necessary to obviate such a consequence.