Intravenous Feeding may Harm Liver

A recent study shows that feeding patients intravenously can help save lives. However, it can also cause liver damage. According to scientists at the University of Colorado and Children's Hospital Colorado, they've figured out that the likely culprit could be one of the ingredients found in intravenous food behind liver problems. 

The discovery, published Oct. 9 in Science Translational Medicine, could point the way to better treatments for patients who are medically vulnerable and, often, very young.

"We still have more to learn about the optimal mix of lipids for intravenous nutrition," said Ron Sokol, part of the research team, via a press release. "Our hope is that this study will lead us to intravenous nutrition that results in less stress on the liver."

Researchers note that a life-saving options for some patients with intestinal issues can be to provide the food simultaneously. However, this option is only usually available for patients that can tolerate or absorb food from their intestines.

The risk of the problem shows an especially high risk for premature infants and children with intestinal failure or short bowel syndrome. This can often occur from intravenous feeding or parenteral nutrition. However, the longer the patient is on PN, the more severe intestional symptoms typically are. Clinical evidence from the study has suggested that lipids derived from soy may be part of the problem, and researchers from the University of Cincinnatti, Cincinnati Children's Hospital and Emory University specifically looked at the benefit of soy. They found that one derivative of the product--stigasterol--appeared to help prevent the flow of bile from liver in experiment mice. 

"The results of this study may help promote a shift away from solutions containing stigmasterol for patients dependent on intravenous nutrition," Sokol said.

More information regarding the study can be found via the journal Science Translational Medicine.