Plasma fatty acids of marrow transplant recipients on fat-supplemented parenteral nutrition

The study was conducted to determine the adequacy of fat infusion in preventing essential fatty acid deficiency during parenteral feeding. Eight adult patients receiving marrow transplantation for the treatment of leukemia were studied. Total daily intravenous and oral calorie and fat intakes were monitored. Insignificant amounts of food were consumed orally during the 30-day study period. Parenteral nutrition, initiated pretransplant, included 250 ml of 10% fat infusion daily. Plasma total fatty acids were determined by gas-liquid chromatography at specified intervals to detect biochemical essential fatty acid deficiency. The results showed a rapid and significant decline of linoleic acid, 18:2 omega 6, as percentage of total fatty acids. The arachidonic acid, 20:4 omega 6, was not significantly altered. The abnormal fatty acid, eicosatrienoic acid, 20:3 omega 9, was found in trace amounts in five patients. None of the patients developed a 20:3 omega 9/20:4 omega 6 ratio of 0.2 or more. The level of fat infused prevented biochemical essential fatty acid deficiency, but the plasma fatty acid profile was significantly different from normal levels.