[Bone tissue status of rats on intravenous feeding]

Intravenous administration to rats of a nutritive mixture containing intralipid for 9 days produced an increase in the concentration of phosphorus in the blood serum by more than 30%, a decrease in the mass of osseous tissue and in the content of calcium and hydroxyproline thus indicating the development of osteoporosis. Upon intravenous administration of a mixture containing glucose, mineral substances and vitamins but devoid of the lipid component, there were no changes in the concentration of phosphorus in the blood or in the composition of osseous tissue. The reason for bone changes during intralipid use is likely to be the increased supply with it of phospholipids that bind Ca2+ which may lead to hyperparathyrosis and osteoporosis.