[Reactions of the liver to high caloric enteral feeding with formula diets]

We studied serum hepatic enzyme alterations in 36 patients receiving continuous enteral hyperalimentation. In 50% of the patients studied a marked increase in liver enzymes could be noticed. Elevations returned to normal either spontaneously during enteral feeding or after feeding was discontinued. In 7 patients, alkaline phosphatase decreased significantly 21 +/- 13 days after institution of tube feeding. The rise in liver enzyme values could not be accounted for by preexistent hepatobiliary affection, caloric load or composition of the formula diet. Further studies are needed to determine whether cyclic isocaloric enteral nutrition will minimize complications and hepatic enzyme changes after enteral nutrition.