Omegaven® in the Treatment of Parenteral Nutrition (PN) Induced Liver Injury

Rationale for Omegaven® Treatment Unlike conventional intravenous fat emulsions, Omegaven® is comprised solely of fish oils containing primarily omega-3 fatty acids. Animal studies have shown that IV lipid emulsions such as fish oil that are high in eicosapentaenic and docosahexaenoic acid reduce impairment of bile flow as seen in cholestasis caused by conventional fat emulsions(1,2). By administering Omegaven® in place of conventional phytosterol/soybean fat emulsions, the cholestasis may be reversed and patients will be able to be maintained on adequate PN until they are able to ingest adequate nutrition enterally. References 1. Chen W. Effects of fat emulsions with different fatty acid composition on plasma and hepatic lipids in rats receiving total parenteral nutrition. Clinical Nutrition 1996;15:24. 2. Yeh S. Effects of fish oil and safflower oil emulsions on diet-induced hepatic steatosis in rats receiving total parenteral nutrition. Clinical Nutrition 1996;15:80.