Influence of structurally different lipid emulsions on human neutrophil oxygen radical production

The aim of this study was to evaluate immunomodulatory properties of lipid emulsions applied in parenteral nutrition by measuring neutrophil oxygen radical production (the 'respiratory burst') after lipid incubation.

Neutrophils, isolated from the blood of 10 healthy individuals, were incubated in medium or in lipid emulsions in a physiological concentration (2.5 mmol L-1) containing long-chain [Intralipid (LCT)], mixed medium and long-chain [Lipofundin (LCT/MCT)] or structured triglycerides (SL). After washing and stimulation with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) or serum-treated zymosan (STZ) particles, the respiratory burst was evaluated by measuring maximum oxygen uptake, superoxide and hydrogen peroxide production rates and chemiluminescence.

Unlike LCT and SL, LCT/MCT increased PMA- and STZ-induced oxygen uptake rate by 45% and 31% respectively (both P = 0.006 compared with medium) as well as superoxide (+56%, P = 0.006) and hydrogen peroxide (+14%, P = 0.04) production, within 5 min after stimulation. Increased LCT/MCT-mediated early respiratory burst was confirmed by decreased PMA- (-65%) and STZ-stimulated (-54%) chemiluminescence peak time (time after stimulation to peak) in combination with unchanged peak height (maximum rate of radical production). Late respiratory burst (within 2 h) of LCT/MCT, indicated by overall luminescence (overall radical production), remained unchanged (PMA) or decreased (STZ, P = 0.02). The addition of 2.5 mmol L-1 LCT/MCT or MCT emulsion to unstimulated neutrophils, in contrast to LCT and SL, resulted in significant luminescence.

Early neutrophil respiratory burst is accelerated by the LCT/MCT emulsion Lipofundin, whereas LCT (Intralipid) and structured lipid emulsions exert no effect. MCT-containing emulsions, contrary to LCT and structured lipid emulsions, can induce oxygen radical production in unstimulated neutrophils.