Similar Liver Function Abnormalities Occur in Patients Receiving Glucose‐Based and Lipid‐Based Parenteral Nutrition

Biochemical and histopathological evidence of hepatic dysfunction has been associated with the use of glucose‐based total parenteral nutrition (TPN). In the present study liver indices, SGOT, SGPT, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin, were analyzed retrospectively during the course of total parenteral nutrition in 40 patients; 15 patients received a glucose‐based system and 25 received a lipid‐based system. Transient elevations in at least one of the measured parameters were found in a majority of patients receiving either system. These data confirm previous reports of liver function test abnormalities in patients receiving glucose‐based total parentual nutrition. However, in contrast to results from prior studies, these derangements also were observed during the administration of a nutritional support system using lipids as the primary source of calories.