Abstract
In this study we investigated the effects of overloading parenteral solutions on the metabolic status of rats. Normally fed and starved rats were infused intravenously at 13.5ml/kg/hr for 48 hours with three different solutions. Each solution contained the same contents of amino acids, electrolytes, vitamins, trace elements and 5.0%, 14.8% or 20.6% glucose, which were assigned to Group I, II and III, respectively.
In the cases of normally fed rats, there was a significant body weight loss in the Group I and was a slight decrease of body weight in the Group II. No weight loss was observed in the Group III, but the relative weight of liver increased.
In the cases of starved rats, the Groups II and III exhibited marked gain in the body weight, enlargement of liver, retention of sodium and potassium, hyperglycemia, appearance of urinary glucose, remarkable accumulation of liver glycogen and triglyceride, and swelling and vacuolar degeneration of liver cells. These metabolic alterations were more remarkable in the Group III than in the Group II, and were similar phenomena as overloading syndrome shown in clinical findings during total parenteral nutrition. In the Group I, the body weight was maintained during the infusion, and the initially elevated levels of hematocrit and hemoglobin tended towards the normal levels.
In conclusion, the overloading syndrome was induced more likely in malnutrished rats than in normally fed rats. This suggests that parenteral solution with high calorie should be infused by stepwise increasing manner according to nutritional demand of animals or patients.
