Malnutrition is prevalent in dialysis patients and is associated with poor outcomes. It is evidenced by weight loss, hypoalbuminemia, decreased prealbumin, and hypocholesterolemia caused by poor dietary intake, nutrient losses during dialysis, altered protein metabolism, and inflammation. This study investigated the effects of Liposyn (intravenous fat emulsion) on serum albumin, serum prealbumin, total cholesterol, and body weight in malnourished dialysis patients.

Eight patients received Liposyn during each dialysis treatment for 3 months in addition to standard nutritional therapy. They were compared to seven similar dialysis patients who received standard nutritional therapy only. Albumin, prealbumin, cholesterol, and weight were measured at baseline and monthly for 3 months. Statistical analyses failed to show that Liposyn significantly improved nutritional status compared to the control group. This is the first study that examined the effect of Liposyn in this population. Larger, long-term, randomized studies are needed to better determine the effects of Liposyn on malnourished hemodialysis patients.