Causative factors for decreased pulmonary metastasis in parenterally fed mice

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) with fat and/or glucose as the caloric source is associated with a decrease in pulmonary metastasis in mice bearing subcutaneously implanted Lewis lung carcinoma. Five groups of white mice bearing Lewis lung carcinoma were assigned to receive various isocaloric and isonitrogenous oral and parenteral feedings: TPN, utilizing all nonnitrogen energy from glucose; per os, utilizing all nonnitrogen calories from glucose; electrolyte, utilizing nonnitrogen calories provided from a balanced casein diet and receiving an isovolemic infusion of electrolytes in the same composition as the TPN formula; 1/4 normal saline, also consuming the casein diet and receiving an isovolemic infusion of 1/4 normal saline; and an oral casein control (CON) without infusion. Results showed that there were no significant differences in tumor volume changes or tumor doubling time among the groups. However, tumor weight was significantly lower in groups receiving the TPN solution either orally or parenterally in comparison to the oral casein control. Pulmonary metastases were significantly lower in all parenteral groups, irrespective of solution composition, compared to the CON group. Thus it appears that parenteral fluid load rather than composition of the solution is the causative factor for the decrease in pulmonary metastases.