Effects of intravenous palm oil-based lipid nanoemulsion on fat metabolism in rabbits

Objective: To investigate the effects of a newly-developed nanoemulsion of palm oil in combination with medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil (NEMS®MCT/LCT20%) on fat metabolism in male New Zealand white rabbits. Methods: Six rabbits were divided into two groups of three rabbits in each group. NEMS®MCT/LCT20%, Lipofundin®MCT/LCT 20% (a commercially-available lipid emulsion) and normal saline (control) were administered intravenously in these rabbits via the marginal ear vein for 6 h. Cross-over method was used in these rabbits with a wash-out period of two weeks in-between infusions. Triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein and high density lipoprotein cholesterols were determined using enzymatic strip test at 0, 2, 4 and 6 h of infusion. Blood levels of free fatty acid (FFA) were measured at 0 and 6 h. Results: Serum TG levels increased in these rabbits after 2 and 4 h infusion of NEMS®MCT/LCT20% but returned to normal after 6 h. Concentration of FFA increased in a dose-related manner but remained within the normal range (315-535 μmol/L). Similar results were obtained with Lipofundin®MCT/LCT20%. All parameters of fat metabolism in these rabbits remained unchanged from baseline when normal saline was administered. Changes in the parameters of fat metabolism measured between NEMS®MCT/LCT20% and Lipofundin®MCT/LCT20% did not show any significant difference. Significant difference (P<0.05) was observed in these parameters when NEMS®MCT/LCT20% was compared to normal saline. Conclusions: Intravenous administration of NEMS®MCT/LCT20% did not cause a permanent increase in the TG level of rabbits while FFA remained within the normal range.