Cutaneous application of safflower oil in preventing essential fatty acid deficiency in patients on home parenteral nutrition

• Published in: The American journal of clinical nutrition Vol. 46; no. 3; pp. 419 - 423
• Main Authors: Miller, D G, Williams, S K, Palombo, J D, Griffin, R E, Bistrian, B R, Blackburn, G L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bethesda, MD Elsevier Inc 01.09.1987; American Society for Clinical Nutrition
• Subjects: ACEITES VEGETALES; ACIDE GRAS; ACIDOS GRASOS; administration & dosage; Administration, Cutaneous; Adult; ALIMENTACION PARENTERAL; ALIMENTATION ENTERALE; Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; Biological and medical sciences; CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS; deficiency; Emergency and intensive care: metabolism and nutrition disorders. Enteral and parenteral nutrition; ENFERMEDADES CARENCIALES; essential fatty acids; Fatty Acids, Essential; Fatty Acids, Essential - deficiency; Female; Home Care Services; HUILE VEGETALE; Humans; Intensive care medicine; Liver Function Tests; MALADIE DE CARENCE; Medical sciences; Monitoring, Physiologic; nutrient deficiencies; parenteral feeding; Parenteral Nutrition, Total; Plant Oils; Plant Oils - administration & dosage; safflower oil; Safflower Oil - administration & dosage; Human; Deficiency; At home; Complication; Fatty acids; Resuscitation; Parenteral administration; Feeding
• ISSN: 0002-9165; 1938-3207
• DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/46.3.419

Essential fatty acid deficiency (EFAD) is observed in patients with massive bowel resection who are placed on home parenteral nutrition (HPN). We investigated the use of cutaneously applied safflower oil to prevent EFAD. Five subjects on HPN supplemented with intravenous (IV) fat emulsions underwent a three-phase study: 1) no IV fat emulsions for 4 wk; 2) cutaneous safflower oil for 4–6 wk; 3) oral safflower oil for 4 wk. Fatty acid profiles (FAP) of plasma were obtained during each phase. Significant decreases in linoleic and arachidonic acid occurred by the end of phase 1 and the triene:tetraene ratio rose from a baseline value of 0.1 to 0.5. This ratio returned to 0.2 by the end of phase 2 and significant increases in linoleic and arachidonic acid occurred. Only one of five subjects completed the oral phase (3). Cutaneous safflower oil may improve plasma FAP but adequacy of tissue stores remains unanswered. Liver function tests need to be monitored if this treatment modality is utilized.