Vitamin E and total parenteral nutrition.

Vitamin E and essential fatty acid status were examined in two groups of patients, one receiving fat-free total parenteral nutrition (TPN) with intravenous all-rac-alpha-tocopherol for vitamin E deficiency and the other receiving routine intravenous fat (Intralipid, 10%) emulsions with TPN to supply both fatty acid and vitamin E requirements. Initial evaluation of both groups revealed a 50% incidence of vitamin E deficiency, platelet hyperaggregation, or in vitro H2O2-induced hemolysis. Only platelet hyperaggregation correlated significantly with vitamin E deficiency. Supplementation with all-rac-alpha-tocopherol corrected platelet hyperaggregation and H2O2-induced hemolysis; daily dosage requirements of 25-50 mg (fat-free TPN) or more (with intravenous fat) suggest increased vitamin E requirements during TPN. Intravenous fat emulsion did not correct the platelet and red blood cell abnormalities, a result of either increased vitamin E requirements or low alpha-tocopherol-equivalent content of the emulsion. Essential fatty acid deficiency (EFAD) was observed in seven patients with an associated platelet hyperaggregation independent of vitamin E deficiency. Prolonged TPN for enterocutaneous fistulae in three patients was associated with persistent EFAD and platelet hyperaggregation despite up to 2.0 liters of intravenous fat emulsion weekly.

Duke Scholars

Author John Palmer Grant Surgery, Minimally Invasive Surgery