Meta-analysis of structured triglyceride versus other lipid emulsions for parenteral nutrition

Structured triglyceride (STG) is a new emulsion synthesized from long-chain fatty acids and medium-chain fatty acids bound to the same glycerol backbone. We performed a meta-analysis to examine the safety, efficacy, and tolerability of STG for parenteral nutrition. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Chinese Biomedicine Database, with the last search done in May 2012. Only randomized controlled trials in humans published in Chinese or English were included. Search terms included structured triglyceride and structural lipid. Methodologic quality was evaluated using the Jadad Scale. Meta-analysis was conducted using Review Manager 5.0.24 to calculate the weighted mean difference (WMD) and standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals. Twenty-one studies (833 participants) published in English or Chinese were included in the analysis. STG significantly affected plasma triglycerides (WMD = −0.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.29 to −0.01; P = 0.04), plasma glycerol (WMD = 0.21; 95% CI, 0.01–0.41; P = 0.04), free fatty acids (WMD = 0.21; 95% CI, 0.03–0.39; P = 0.02), nitrogen balance (SMD = 1.13; 95% CI, 0.26–1.99; P = 0.01), AST (WMD = −5.97; 95% CI, −7.17 to −4.76; P < 0.00001), and glucose (WMD = −0.18; 95% CI, −0.30 to −0.06; P = 004), but not respiratory quotient, resting energy expenditure, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, bilirubin, cholesterol, serum creatinine, or vital signs. STG is rapidly metabolized without harming the liver, and positively affects nitrogen balance. STG is at least as safe and effective for parenteral nutrition as other triglycerides.