EFFECTS OF A FAT EMULSION CONTAINING MEDIUM-CHAIN FATTY-ACIDS AND LONG-CHAIN FATTY-ACIDS ON PROTEIN AND ENERGY-METABOLISM IN PARTIALLY HEPATECTOMIZED RATS

Protein and energy metabolism were examined in 34 partially hepatectom ized rats (70%), receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). The TPN c ontained either long chain triglycerides (LCT) or triglycerides compri sing both medium- (MCFA) and long chain fatty acids (LCFA) on the same carbon skeleton (MLT, medium- and long chain triglyceride). The rats were divided into 4 groups with and without glucose (G) supplementatio n: LCT+G, LCT-G, MLT+G, MLT-G. 3 days after surgery protein synthetic rate in skeletal muscle, as evaluated from in vitro incorporation of C -14-phenylalanine into muscle protein, was significantly higher in rat s receiving MLT if compared to rats receiving LCT (p < 0.05). Rats rec eiving MLT lost significantly less weight during the study period when compared to the LCT group (p < 0.005). Increased leucine oxidation wa s observed in rats receiving TPN without glucose regardless of the typ e of fat emulsion used (p < 0.05). In conclusion, when given to partia lly hepatectomized rats TPN containing both MCFA and LCFA exerts a sti mulatory effect on muscle protein synthesis and preserves body weight better than an emulsion containing LCT only.