The effect of total parenteral nutrition on hepatic drug oxidation

Hepatic dysfunction is a frequent complication of total parenteral nutrition (TPN), indicated by derangement of standard liver function tests. However, such changes are variable and nonspecific, and represent hepatic injury rather than changes in hepatic function. Antipyrine (Phenazone) clearance is a sensitive indicator of hepatic microsomal enzyme activity and provides a more specific indication of hepatic function. This was used to investigate the effect of different TPN regimens. Patients receiving a postoperative 2000 kcal TPN regimen providing all nonprotein calories as dextrose (n = 16) showed a 34% reduction of mean antipyrine clearance after 7 days of TPN compared to controls (n = 13, p less than 0.05). This effect was seen also in patients receiving a 1600 kcal dextrose-based regimen (n = 8). In patients receiving a 2000 kcal TPN regimen in which 500 kcal were provided as lipid (n = 10), mean antipyrine clearance was not significantly different from that of the control group. This study indicates the sensitivity of hepatic microsomal oxidative function, an important route of drug metabolism, to different TPN regimens.