The potential toxicity of FE-S15 (B. Braun-Melsungen), a soybean-oil fat emulsion used in parenteral nutrition, was studied in dogs. Forty pure-bred beagles, in two experimental groups (FE-S15 at 9 and 4 g/kg/day) and two corresponding control groups (receiving Dextrose-Ringer's solution), were given daily infusions for 28 days via a central venous catheter. Vital signs and hematologic, biochemical, and bacteriologic changes were monitored closely. When compared with control groups, no significant weight loss was observed in either group; the food intake decreased only in animals receiving fat in high doses. Hemoglobin and hematocrit decreased in all groups during infusion, the greatest fall observed in the group receiving high-dose fat infusion where the hematocrit declined from 45.5% to 31.7%. This decrease was significantly different from the controls only during one observation period. Clinical signs, such as lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and fever were observed infrequently in both experimental and control animals, more often in those treated with high-dose fat infusion. It appears that the fat emulsion FE-S15 causes only minor side effects but otherwise is well tolerated in dogs at a potentially toxic level.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Studies of the toxicity of an intravenous fat emulsion. II. Blood chemical changes after administration of a soybean oil (FE-S15) in beagles.

Biochemical changes were monitored during fat infusion as part of an evaluation of the toxicity that accompanies the intravenous administration of a new soybean oil emulsion in dogs. Beagles were given FE-S15 at 9 and 4 g/kg/day for 28 days via a central venous catheter. The total serum lipid, triglyceride, and phospholipid concentrations of the animals receiving fat in high doses increased 3 to 4 times in comparison to that of the control group; cholesterol increased 5 times. The rise of serum lipid fractions was proportionally smaller in animals receiving the low dose fat infusion. All values returned to the control range 2 wks after termination of the infusion. The serum protein level fell from 6.5 to 5.1 g/dl in animals given 9 g/kg/day fat while animals receiving 4 g/kg/day had a significant increase to 8.4 g/dl (day 27). In comparison with the control groups, the animals receiving low dose fat infusion also had a significant rise in serum albumin and, to a lesser degree, in alpha and beta globulins. A rise in alkaline phosphatase activity was observed in all dogs receiving fat infusion, but was significantly different from the controls only in animals on high dose fat infusion. None of the other monitored biochemical serum values were affected by the administered fat and there was no evidence of disturbance in liver function.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗