Effects of soybean lipid infusion on triglyceride and unbound free fatty acid levels in preterm infants

Abstract

Objective: To determine the plasma triglyceride (TG) and unbound free fatty acid (FFAu) levels in infants treated with increasing dosages of soybean lipid, intralipid (IL), infusion.

Study design: TG and FFAu levels were measured in 78 preterm infants (BW 500–2000 g; GA 23–34 weeks) using the fluorescent probe ADIFAB2 and enzymatic method.

Results: The infants’ BW was 1266.2 ± 440.7 g and GA 28.8 ± 3.1 weeks. TG levels were 77.4 ± 50 mg/dL, 140.2 ± 188 mg/dL (p < .04 compared to levels during low dose IL infusion) and 135.6 ± 118 mg/dL (p < .004), respectively during increased IL rates. FFAu levels were 17.7 ± 13 nM, 47.3 ± 102.8 nM (p = .07) and 98 ± 234 nM (p = .03). TG levels correlated with IL dose, the rate of IL administration, and FFAu levels. TG and FFAu levels were higher in infants below 28 weeks’ gestation

Conclusions: Increasing dosage of IL is associated with increasing levels of TG and FFAu, especially in infants below 29 weeks of gestation. The increased level of FFAu suggests inefficient cellular utilization.

Keywords:

• Intralipid
• triglyceride
• unbound free fatty acid
• premature infant

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Kleinfeld is the founder of and partner in Fluoresprobe Sciences. Huber is Director of Research at Fluoresprobe Sciences and his salary is paid by Fluoresprobe Sciences.

Additional information

Funding

All phases of the study were supported by NICHD, grant number 1RO3 HD077422-01A1 and R44HD080412-02.