Comparative Study of Clearance of 10% and 20% Fat Emulsion

The rate of fat emulsion clearance from the blood of 10 healthy adult male volunteers administered 0.1 gram of fat per kilogram body weight as 10% or 20% safflower oil emulsion (Liposyn) was studied. The subjects were hospitalized for 2 days and each was given the predetermined amount of one of the two fat emulsions (10% or 20%) by rapid injection into a peripheral vein and the rate of clearance of the emulsion determined over a 60-minute period, beginning when half of the emulsion had been injected. There was no significant difference in the clearance rate between the two emulsions. It is concluded that 20% fat emulsion is as safe as 10% fat emulsion for use in intravenous nutritional support.