Chapter I

A practical alternative to traditional central line delivery of PA for small animal patients is utilization of a peripheral route. Admixtures delivered via this route should be a lower osmolarity to prevent complications; to attain this goal a HL:LD PA is formulated. Lipid peroxidation is a common sequella of PA containing high lipid content. This in vitro peroxidation can lead to oxidative injury of biological membranes in vivo. Despite this concern, peripheral PA has many benefits and continues to be utilized. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to measure lipid hydroperoxides in HL:LD PA; and to determine the optimal dose of d-α-tocopherol to minimize peroxidation in the PA during a 24 hour hang time. This in vitro experiment included 3 identical blocks consisting of 14 bags (n = 7 control; n = 7 treatment) filled aseptically with 109 ml of HL:LD PA. Total lipid content per bag was 8 g as soybean oil (20% Intralipid). Natural d-α-tocopherol (Vital E-300) was added to the treatment bags as 8, 12, 16, 24, 32, 48, or 64 IU/g of lipid. Control bags contained d-α-tocopherol equivalent amounts of ethanol and benzyl alcohol. Bags were hung for 24 hours at room temperature under fluorescent light exposure. Hydroperoxides were measured by FOX assay and tocopherols by HPLC at times 0 and 24 hours. The