Lipid peroxide and hydrogen peroxide formation in parenteral nutrition solutions containing multivitamins

Infusion of parenteral solutions containing peroxides may be detrimental to premature infants. Intralipid frequently contains lipid peroxides and undergoes further peroxidation when exposed to light. Peroxidation is inhibited by ascorbate, and we have proposed that administration of peroxides could be minimized by mixing multivitamins with the Intralipid. In contrast, others have reported that multivitamins generate peroxides and have advised against mixing them with lipid. Our objective was to assess whether light-dependent reactions in parenteral solutions containing MVI Pediatric (MVIP) generate hydrogen peroxide and establish whether addition of multivitamins to Intralipid is beneficial or detrimental.

We were unable to make accurate peroxide measurements in MVIP using the ferrous oxidation of xylenol orange (FOX) assay, even though others have used it for this purpose, because of interference by ascorbate. Therefore oxygen release on adding catalase was measured to assay for hydrogen peroxide. Freshly reconstituted solutions contained 250 to 500 micromol/L hydrogen peroxide, and this increased dramatically in ambient light. This is presumably due to light-dependent, riboflavin-catalyzed reduction of oxygen by ascorbic acid. The rate of peroxide generation was less for MVIP diluted in Intralipid than in dextrose solution.

Taken together with our previous findings, we conclude that multivitamins protect Intralipid against lipid peroxidation, but light-dependent hydrogen peroxide production and ascorbate loss occur. These latter changes are less than for multivitamins in other total parenteral nutrition solutions, so there is an advantage in mixing multivitamins with Intralipid. However, prevention of ascorbate loss and hydrogen peroxide formation in any multivitamin solution requires protection of the delivery system from light.