Lipid changes in plasma and blood cells following intravenous 10% fat infusion in man

The effects of a 500 ml 4 hr infusion of 10% fat emulsion (Lipovenös) on the lipid content of plasma lipoproteins and blood cells, and on the platelet aggregation rate, were studied in ten volunteers. The infusion resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) initial increase in plasma total triglycerides (more than 5 times), phospholipids (28.7%) and free cholesterol (43.3%), but a decrease in the free cholesterol content of erythrocytes and mononuclear cells (by 4.4% and by 22.7%, respectively). Plasma cholesteryl ester was reduced by 18.2% after the infusion, most of the reduction being accounted for by the 16.5% reduction in high-density lipoproteins. Our findings suggest more than 35% of the free cholesterol accumulated in plasma to derive from peripheral tissues, in turn suggesting overall reverse cholesterol transport from peripheral tissues to plasma to be enhanced. Post-infusion platelet aggregation in response to adenosine disphophate was significantly reduced, the peak rate by 31% and 1 min. rate by 20.6% (P < 0.05 in both cases). These changes in plasma lipids found in normal volunteers suggest that a short-term intravenous infusion of 10% Lipovenös might also be beneficial in preventing atherosclerosis.