Purpose:
Bilirubin is a biomarker for the diagnosis of liver diseases or bile duct dysfunction. This study assessed the physiological changes in the blood bilirubin level infusing ω-3 enriched parenteral nutrition (PN) and ω-3 free PN in healthy male subjects.

Materials and Methods:
This study was a randomized, open-label, two-treatment, two-way crossover trial. Sixteen subjects were assigned randomly to one of two sequences of the two treatments: ω-3 enriched PN or ω-3 free PN was infused via aperipheral venous catheter for six hours at 3 mL/kg/h. Blood samples were collected every one hour from 0 to 12 hours after starting an intravenous infusion for bilirubin concentrations. The total bilirubin and direct bilirubin concentrations in the blood were analyzed using an enzymatic method.

Results:
The bilirubin concentration in the blood was reduced while infusing the ω-3 enriched PN and ω-3 free PN. When it stopped infusing, the bilirubin concentration was recovered. A similar pattern was observed, but there was a further decline and recovery in ω-3 free PN.

Conclusion:
When ω-3 enriched PN and ω-3 free PN are infused in healthy male subjects, the blood bilirubin level decreasedand there is no difference between the two groups.

Keywords : Parenteral nutrition, Omega-3, Bilirubin, Liver disease