[Tolerance studies of an intravenous fat emulsion (FE-S15) with beagle dogs]

The potential toxicity of FE-S15, a soybean oil fat emulsion used in parenteral nutrition, was studied in dogs. Forty pure bred beagles, divided into two experimental groups (FE-S15 at 9 and 4 gm/kg BW/day) and two corresponding control groups (receiving Dextrose Ringer's Solution) were given daily infusions for 28 days via a central venous catheter. When compared with control groups no significant weight loss was observed in either experimental group; the food intake decreased only in animals receiving fat in high doses. Hemoglobin and hematocrit decreased in all groups, the greatest fall observed in the group receiving high dose fat infusion was the hematocrit decline from 43.9% to 31%. This decrease was significantly different from the control only during one observation period. The total serum lipids, triglyceride and phospholipid concentrations of the animals receiving fat in high doses increased 3-4 times in comparison to that of the control group; cholesterol increased 5 times. The serum protein level fell from 6.5 to 5.1 gm/dl in animals receiving 9 gm/kg BW/day while animals receiving 4 gm/kg BW/day had a significant increase to 8.4 gm/dl. Except for an overall decreased activity clinical sign such as lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea were infrequent and equally observed in experimental and control animals. The post mortem examination did not reveal changes that must be attributed to the administered fat. It is concluded that the fat emulsion FE-S15 is fairly well tolerated in dogs at a potentially toxic level.