Effects of total parenteral nutrition and semi-starvation on the liver of beagle puppies.

The effects on hepatic growth of fat-free TPN and semistarvation have been studied in newborn beagle puppies. Our data indicate that liver growth during TPN is characterized by normal deposition of protein and minerals, with increased glycogen and decreased lipid content. While the lipid pattern of TPN livers is normal, the phospholipid fraction contains an abnormal fatty acid pattern, consistent with the development of essential fatty acid deficiency. The exact physiologic significance of this is unknown, but it is tempting to speculate that changes in integrity of the hepatic cell membrane as a result of this abnormal fatty acid pattern might account for some of the clinical abnormalities of hepatic function during TPN.