Non-protein energy overloading induces bacterial translocation during total parenteral nutrition in newborn rabbits

The effect of energy intake provided by total parenteral nutrition (TPN) on the incidence of bacterial translocation and the relationship between TPN-induced cholestasis and bacterial translocation were investigated in newborn animals. Forty-six Japanese white newborn rabbits were divided into three groups: TPN-H group (high energy TPN; 280 kcal.kg-1.d-1), TPN-L group (low energy TPN; 180 kcal.kg-1.d-1), and a control group (breast fed). On day 8, they were all killed for investigation of the presence of bacterial translocation, for blood chemistry analysis, and for histological examination of the ileum. The incidence of translocation to any of mesenteric lymph nodes and liver and spleen was significantly higher in the TPN-H group (67%) than in both the TPN-L group (13%) and the control group (10%) (P < 0.01). No difference was seen in ileum morphology between the two TPN groups. Although the mean bilirubin level of the TPN-H group tended to be higher than the TPN-L group, whether or not bacterial translocation occurred was not found to be closely related to the degree of TPN-associated cholestasis. In conclusion, parenteral nonprotein energy overloadng increased the incidence of bacterial translocation in the newborn rabbit. However, bacterial translocation did not appear to be associated with the development of TPN-associated cholestasis.