Intralipid 20% is an intravenous 20% soybean oil fat emulsion. Intralipid 20% provides essential and non‑essential long‑chain fatty acids as energy substrates and participates in cell membrane composition. Intralipid 20% also encapsulates lipophilic drug molecules through the lipid sink effect to reverse systemic toxicity caused by local anesthetics. Intralipid 20% can be used in studies related to parenteral nutrition support and rescue from local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST)[1-4].
In vitro, Intralipid 20% (0.02, 0.2mg/ml) was co‑treated with Paclitaxel in human breast cancer MDA‑MB‑231, non‑small cell lung cancer A549, pancreatic Panc1 cells and human monocytic THP‑1 cells for 3 days. Intralipid 20% did not significantly affect the 50% cytotoxic concentration of Paclitaxel in human breast cancer, non‑small cell lung cancer, or pancreatic cancer cells, but increased the 50% cytotoxic concentration of Paclitaxel in human monocytic THP‑1 cells by approximately 5‑fold, exerting a protective effect[5]. Intralipid 20% (diluted to 0.001%, 0.01%, 0.1%) was applied to human ovarian epithelial adenocarcinoma OVCAR‑3, Caov‑3, OVCAR‑8, and OVCAR‑5 cells for 72h. Intralipid 20% treatment reduced the survival fraction of OVCAR‑3 and OVCAR‑8 cells[6].
In vivo, Intralipid 20% (10ml/kg/h) combined with heparin (0.0975IU/min) was infused via the jugular vein into adult male Sprague‑Dawley rats for 6h. Intralipid 20% elevated plasma free fatty acid levels, decreased the glucose infusion rate, down‑regulated hepatic ApoM gene expression, and up‑regulated the hepatic mRNA levels of Acaca, Acox1, Akt1, Araf, G6pc, Irs2, Ldlr, Map2k1, and pyruvate kinase[7]. Intralipid 20% (4g/kg) was administered via percutaneous intraperitoneal injection through the abdominal wall into female Wistar rats. Intralipid 20% increased serum triglyceride and various fatty acid levels (16C, 18C, 18‑1C, 18‑2C), peaking at 6h post‑injection and showing a secondary peak after 15h[8].
References:
[1] Coulam CB. Intralipid treatment for women with reproductive failures. Am J Reprod Immunol. 2021 Apr;85(4):e13290.
[2] Kumar P, Marron K, Harrity C. Intralipid therapy and adverse reproductive outcome: is there any evidence? Reprod Fertil. 2021 Jun 3;2(3):173-186.
[3] Ollier M, Giles S, Gosselin S. The Occasional intralipid emulsion therapy. Can J Rural Med. 2023 Oct-Dec;28(4):195-200.
[4] Harsten R, Tetlow SJ, Chan T, et al. Intralipid and haemodialysis in caffeine overdose. BMJ Case Rep. 2020 May 14;13(5):e234256.
[5] Chen YJ, Tsai CY, Cheng YM, et al. Impacts of Intralipid on Nanodrug Abraxane Therapy and on the Innate Immune System. Sci Rep. 2020 Feb 18;10(1):2838.
[6] Overchuk M, Choi AM, Wiltshire GAE, et al. Beyond light scattering: the effects of intralipid on benzoporphyrin derivative-sensitized photodynamic treatment in ovarian cancer cells. J Biomed Opt. 2025 Dec;30(Suppl 3):S34116.
[7] Zheng L, Feng Y, Shi Y, et al. Intralipid decreases apolipoprotein M levels and insulin sensitivity in rats. PLoS One. 2014 Aug 21;9(8):e105681.
[8] Moran J, Cruz G, Nogue-Rales F, et al. Transperitoneal absorption of intralipid in rats: total serum fatty acids and triglyceride after absorption. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 1986 Nov-Dec;10(6):604-8.