[Incorrect caloric-nitrogen composition of parenteral nutrition solutions as a factor for causing liver damage--an...

The experiment were carried out on 40, 3-week old rats who received solutions of aminoacids, glucose, fat, electrolytes, trace elements and vitamins. The ratio of non-protein calories to grams of nitrogen was: Group I-75:1, Group II-200:1, Group III-500:1. Control Group IV was on standard Murigan chow. The analysis included the following parameters: body mass, serum albumin concentration, GOT, GPT and ECH, and microscopic liver studies. The results show that body mass increases in Group I-III (7.5 g, SD 2.18; 1.45 g, SD 2.33; 1.85 g, SD 1.56 respectively) were significantly lower when compared to the controls (11.6 g, SD 2.72), with p < 0.001. Blood serum albumin concentration values were lower in Group I, II and III, and transaminase activity was elevated in comparison to the controls. Histological analysis showed mitochondrial damage and parenchymal degeneration with proliferation of Browicz-Kupfer cells in Group I and III animals, and no structural hepatic changes in Group II and in the controls. The results suggest a relationship between the above disturbances and the composition of the administrated solutions.