In vitro influence of parenteral lipid emulsions on the respiratory burst of neutrophils

The in vitro effect of a fish oil-derived lipid emulsion (ω-3) on the superoxide anion production during the respiratory burst (RB) of human neutrophils was compared to a LCT lipid (Intralipid), and an LCT/MCT emulsion (Lipofundin MCT). The effects of two concentrations (60 and 600 μg/mL) were evaluated by rhodamine in a flow cytometer. The RB was induced either by stimulation with Escherichia coli(E. coli) or by priming with TNF-α and FMLP stimulation. The results (mean ± SD%, P < 0.05) were compared to positive control responses (RB without lipids). ω-3 (60 μg/mL, −8.2 [9.3]%; 600 μg/mL, −9.6 [11.1]%) and LCT (600 μg/mL, −8.0 [9.3]%) significantly suppressed the RB after stimulation with E. coli. LCT/MCT increased the RB after E. coli (60 μg/mL, 15.7 [15.4]%; 600 μg/mL, 42.7 [21.4]%) as well as after TNF-α/FMLP stimulation (600 μg/mL, 27.4 [23.7]%). The in vitro influence of parenteral lipid emulsions on the superoxide anion production of human neutrophils is dependent on the length of the fatty acid molecule.