Calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus metabolism in dogs given intravenous triacetin.

ABSTRACF Previous studies suggested that acetate in parenteral solutions may adversely affect mineral metabolism by causing sequestration ofinorganic phosphate and calcium in the liver. In this study, triacetin, a short-chain triglyceride of acetate and a potential parenteral nutrient, was infused for 3 h at an isocaboric rate in mongrel dogs (n = 6) to test its effects on serum phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium metabolism. There was no change in serum P or Ca. The serum Mgconcentration decreased from 0.7 ± 0.03 to 0.57 ± 0.03 mmol/L(p < 0.001) by 90 mm and remained at this level for the remainder ofthe study. The triacetin infusion did not influence fractional urinary Mg excretion; thus, the decrease in serum Mg was likely because ofan increase in cellular transport ofthis cation. A short-chain triglyceride administered to dogs at a rate approximating resting energy expenditure has no demonstrable adverse effects on mineral metabolism. Am J Clin Nutr 1989;49:385-8.