The aetiology of parenteral nutrition-associated hepatic injury remains unresolved. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of structured triglycerides in parenteral nutrition compared either to a physical medium-chain triglycerides (MCT)/long-chain triglcerides (LCT) mixture or to a LCT emulsion on hepatic integrity.

In a randomized, double-blinded trial, we studied 45 patients undergoing abdominal surgery, who were expected to receive parenteral nutrition for 5 days. Patients were allocated to one of three nutrition regimens: Group A (n = 15) received structured triglycerides, Group B (n = 15) a MCT/LCT and Group C (n = 15) a LCT lipid emulsion. Before the start of parenteral nutrition (T0), 24 h (T1), 48 h (T2), 72 h (T3) and 120 h (T4) after start of infusion the following parameters were measured: Alpha-glutathione S-transferase (α-GST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), glucose and serum triglycerides.

At T3 and T4, α-GST levels were significantly higher in Group B (T3: 9.4 ± 9.9; T4: 14.6 ± 19.5 μg L−1) and Group C (T3: 14.2 ± 20.8; T4: 22.4 ± 39.3 μg L−1) compared with the patients receiving structured triglycerides (T3: 1.9 ± 1.8; T4: 3.2 ± 2.7 μg L−1). Whereas the mean α-GST-levels in structured triglycerides group always remained in the normal range, this was not the case in both other groups at T3 and T4. There were no significant differences concerning ALT, AST and glucose levels. At T3 and T4, triglyceride levels were significantly lower in Group A than in Groups B and C.

Hepatic integrity was well retained with the administration of structured triglycerides, whereas both MCT/LCT emulsion and LCT emulsion caused subclinical hepatic injury.