The Novel Lipid Emulsion Vegaven Is Well Tolerated and Elicits Distinct Biological Actions Compared With a Mixed-Oil Lipid Emulsion Containing Fish Oil: A Parenteral Nutrition Trial in Piglets

Background Vegaven is a novel lipid emulsion for parenteral nutrition (PN) based on 18-carbon n–3 (ω-3) fatty acids, which elicits liver protection via interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the murine model of PN. Objectives In a preclinical model of PN in neonatal piglets, Vegaven was tested for efficacy and safety and compared with a mixed-oil lipid emulsion containing fish oil (SMOFlipid). Methods Male piglets 4–5 d old were randomly allocated to isocaloric isonitrogenous PN for 14 d, which varied only by the type of lipid emulsion (Vegaven, n ¼ 8; SMOFlipid, n ¼ 8). Hepatic IL-10 tissue concentration served as primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were organ weights, bile flow, blood analyses, plasma insulin and glucagon concentrations, insulin signaling, proinflammatory cytokines, tissue lipopolysaccharide concentrations, and fatty acid composition of phospholipid fractions in plasma, liver, and brain. Results Total weight gain on trial, organ weights, and bile flow were similar between the Vegaven and the SMOFlipid group. Vegaven elicited higher hepatic IL10 (Δ ¼ 148 pg/mg protein; P < 0.001) and insulin receptor substrate-2 amounts (Δ ¼ 0.08 OD; P ¼ 0.012). Plasma insulin concentrations (Δ ¼ 1.46 mU/L; P ¼ 0.003) and fructosamine (glycated albumin, Δ ¼ 12.4 μmol/g protein; P ¼ 0.003) were increased in SMOFlipid as compared with those of Vegaven group, indicating insulin resistance. Higher hepatic injury markers were observed more frequently in the SMOFlipid group than those in the Vegaven group. Lipopolysaccharide, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-6 concentrations increased in pancreatic and brain tissues of SMOFlipid-treated compared with those in the Vegaven-treated piglets. Insulin signaling reduced in the brains of SMOFlipid-treated piglets. Vegaven and SMOFlipid elicited distinct fatty acid profiles in the phospholipid fractions of the rapidly growing brains but showed similar accretion of docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid after 2 wk of PN. Conclusions Vegaven is well tolerated in this piglet model of PN, demonstrating distinct biological actions compared with SMOFlipid, namely lower liver, pancreas, and brain inflammation, enhanced insulin signaling, and improved whole body glucose control.