Fat emulsion adversely affects lymphocyte reactivity

This study examined the effects of five parenteral nutrition solutions on in vitro lymphocyte reactivity and measured lymphocyte responsiveness in patients receiving parenteral nutrition. Normal human lymphocytes were incubated with dilutions of: a] an amino acid/ dextrose solution, b] an amino acid-dextrose/fat solution, c] an amino acid solution, d] dextrose, and e] a fat emulsion and lymphocyte responsiveness to antigenic [PPD] and mitogenic [PHA] stimulation was measured. Lymphocyte reactivity was significantly depressed in patients during infusion of the fat emulsion impairs lymphocyte reactivity and suggest that careful consideration should be given using fat emulsion in patients in whom cell-mediated immunity is impaired already