Total parenteral nutrition effect on hepatic function, intestinal adaption and tumor growth : an experimental study in rats

The objective of the experiments described in this thesis was to get an answer to the following questions: 1. Will nutrient substrates infused via the portal venous system prevent hepatic dysfunction as is associated with central venous infusion and optimize nitrogen balance and hepatic protein synthesis? 2. What is the efficacy of fat-based TPN compared to glucose-based TPN and what is their effect on liver function and liver structure in the rat? 3. What are the effects of TPN on the development and adaptive response of the intestine in the young growing rat after small bowel resection, and are these effects irreversible? 4. Which form of TPN, carbohydrate-based or fat-based, best maintains host weight with minimal stimulation of tumorgrowth in the syndrome of cancer cachexia? Major relevant data from the literature, which have been mentioned without references so far, can be found in the articles listed at the end of this paragraph.