Papers of the Week

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is a life-saving therapy administered to millions of patients. However, it is associated with significant adverse effects, namely liver injury, risk of infections, and metabolic derangements. In this review, we first identify the underlying causes of TPN-associated adverse effects, specifically gut atrophy, dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiome, leakage of the epithelial barrier with bacterial invasion and inflammation. We analyze the role of the bile acid receptors farnesoid X receptor and Takeda G protein-coupled receptor, of pleiotropic hormones and growth factors, and further scrutinize the mechanisms of insulin resistance, namely the lack of insulinotropic and insulinomimetic signaling of gut-originating incretins as well as the administration of potentially toxic phytosterols and pro-inflammatory fatty acids mainly released from soybean oil-based lipid emulsions used for TPN. Finally, we propose novel approaches in the design of next generation lipid delivery systems by modifying the physicochemical properties of lipid emulsions, the use of lipid emulsions generated from sustainable oils with favorable ratios of anti-inflammatory n-3 to pro-inflammatory n-6 fatty acids, beneficial adjuncts to TPN, and concomitant pharmacotherapies to mitigate TPN-associated adverse effects. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.