Comparative studies on a new concentrated fat emulsion: Intralipid 30% vs. 20%

A concentrated fat emulsion (Intralipid 30%) was tested for clinical tolerance and metabolic effects in 2 studies comparing it with Intralipid 20%. 24 healthy subjects were given 100-g fat infusions of the two emulsions over a period of 6 h on two different days in random order. At 6 h of infusion, the mean increase in the plasma triglyceride (TG) concentration was similar for the two emulsions (3.3 +/- 0.5 (SD) and 3.9 +/- 2.9 mmol/l for the 30% and 20% emulsions, respectively; NS). A significantly lower increase in plasma phospholipid (PL) concentration was noted with Intralipid 30% (0.27 +/- 0.24 vs. 0.88 +/- 0.62 mmol/l; p < 0.05). The increases in cholesterol and free fatty acid (FFA) levels were similar for the two emulsions. In another study, 20 postoperative patients were randomized to receive 100 g fat per day during 5 days as either Intralipid 30% or Intralipid 20%. Modest increases (less than 1 mmol/l) in TG, PL, FFA and cholesterol levels were noted on day 3 and one day after the completion of TPN (day 6) and there were no significant differences between the 2 groups. It is concluded that, apart from a less pronounced increase in plasma PL levels after 6 h of infusion, the metabolic effects of Intralipid 30% were similar to those observed with the 20% emulsion. The new concentrated fat emulsion was found to be clinically safe and could be considered for use in patients requiring TPN.