The effects of an antioxidant-enriched lipid emulsion on superior mesenteric artery blood flow, gut and liver morphology, and function during prolonged PN feeding

Thilini Kumarasinghe
PhD Student
Department of Biochemistry


Date: September 11, 2023
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. 
Room: CSF 1302

Parenteral nutrition (intravenous feeding/PN) is essential for the survival of newborn infants who are extremely premature or who have a congenitally or functionally impaired gastrointestinal tract. However, PN-related liver damage and gut atrophy are undesirable adverse effects that cannot be avoided.  Intestinal atrophy results from the rapid reduction in blood flow in the superior mesenteric artery. Reduced metabolic capacity, such as arginine synthesis, reduced absorptive capacity, and decreased bile secretion to the small intestine are a few of the serious complications following the onset of gut atrophy. Infants with intestinal failure who are treated with PN for an extended time may also experience cholestasis, fat infiltration in the liver, progressive hepatic fibrosis, and ultimately, liver failure. PN complications may be related to high levels of oxidative damage caused by the PN solutions, as lipids and other nutrients are oxidized when exposed to light and ambient temperatures during use. New-generation fish oil containing lipid emulsions enriched with antioxidants can reduce the peroxidation of long-chain fatty acids and improve liver health. Maintaining mesenteric blood flow is the primary physiological requirement for reducing gut atrophy, however, effective treatments to sustain blood flow during PN feeding have not been elucidated. Nitric oxide is a major vasodilator and antioxidant.  Therefore, in a piglet model of intravenous feeding, we are investigating whether additional antioxidants added to a commercial PN lipid solution (SMOFlipid®) will spare nitric oxide from antioxidant activities, which could improve blood flow and preserve intestinal function. Outcomes of oxidative stress in the liver are also being assessed.