soya-bean oil, medium-chain triglycerides

Action and Spectrum

Actions and Spectrum: 

Actions: 

Medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) and soya bean oil both affect different bodily functions, including energy production, metabolism, and nutritional support. 

Spectrum: 

The range of physiological and nutritional effects exhibited by soya-bean oil and medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) is diverse. 

Soya-bean Oil: 

• Acts as a dietary nutrient 
• Provides essential fatty acids 
• Functions as a nutritional supplementation component 

Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCT): 

• Serves as a quick energy source 
• Offers support for ketogenic diets 
• Utilized in addressing gastrointestinal disorders 
• Impacts weight management 

Drug Interaction

Adverse Reaction

Frequency not defined 

Allergic reactions 

Gastrointestinal issues 

Liver disorders 

Ketosis side effects 

Vomiting 

Breathing problems 

Headache 

Sweating 

Fever 

Chills 

Black Box Warning

Black Box Warning: 

Due to the potential for allergic reactions, close monitoring is essential at the commencement of the infusion. If any indications of an allergic reaction arise, such as fever, shivering, rash, or shortness of breath (dyspnea), it is imperative to promptly halt the infusion. 

Contraindication / Caution

Contraindication/Caution: 

Contraindications 

• Hypersensitivity 
• Severe hyperlipidemia 
• Severe liver failure 
• MI 
• Severe kidney failure 
• Impaired blood circulation 
• DM 
• Sepsis 
• Acidosis 
• Coma  
• Dehydration 
• hypokalemia 

Cautions 

• Renal impairment 
• DM 
• Lung disease 
• Pancreatitis 
• Sepsis 
• Hypothyroidism 
• Hepatic impairment 
• Drug interactions 

Pregnancy / Lactation

Pregnancy consideration:  

No data is available regarding the administration of the drug during pregnancy. 

Breastfeeding warnings:  

No data is available regarding the excretion of drug in breast milk. 

Pregnancy category: 

Category A: well-controlled and satisfactory studies show no risk to the fetus in the first or later trimester. 

Category B: there was no evidence of risk to the fetus in animal studies, and there were not enough studies on pregnant women. 

Category C: there was evidence of risk of adverse effects in animal reproduction studies, and no adequate evidence in human studies must take care of potential risks in pregnant women.    

Category D: adequate data with sufficient evidence of human fetal risk from various platforms, but despite the potential risk, and used only in emergency cases for potential benefits.    

Category X: Drugs listed in this category outweigh the risks over benefits. Hence these categories of drugs need to be avoided by pregnant women.    

Category N: No data is available for the drug under this category. 

Pharmacology

Pharmacology: 

Soya-bean oil is frequently incorporated into diets and nutritional formulations to provide lipid supplementation, serving as a valuable source of calories and essential fatty acids. Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) find application in medical nutrition, particularly in situations where patients face challenges in absorbing traditional fats. Additionally, MCTs are employed in ketogenic diets. The potential effects of MCT oil on weight management, energy expenditure, and its use as a rapid energy source for specific medical conditions have been subjects of research. 

Pharmacodynamics: 

A nutritional source of calories and vital fatty acids that the body can use is soybean oil. By providing energy and nutrients, it corrects the clinical signs of EFAD syndrome and avoids the biochemical abnormalities of essential fatty acid deficiency (EFAD). Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) found in lipid emulsions which are injectable function as essential fatty acid and as a calorie source, crucial for energy production. These triglycerides elicit various metabolic effects, as demonstrated in animal studies where they proved effective in reducing metabolic syndrome, weight, inflammation, and abdominal obesity. The proposed mechanism involves MCTs inducing weight loss by enhancing energy expenditure, promoting oxidation of fat, and influencing body composition. Nonetheless, the enduring and sustainable nature of MCTs’ effects on body weight and expenditure of energy remains uncertain. Additionally, MCTs may impact satiety and food intake, with some studies indicating a reduction in food consumption upon MCT consumption. Despite this, there is no evidence to suggest that MCTs affect appetite. Furthermore, MCTs may play a role in calcium absorption facilitation. 

Pharmacokinetics: 

Absorption 

Soybean oil: After infusion, there is a temporary elevation in plasma triglyceride levels. 

Medium-chain triglycerides undergo swift absorption. They passively and directly diffuse through the gastrointestinal tract into the portal system and subsequently reach the liver, where they undergo oxidation. 

Distribution 

Soyabean oil:
Following the hydrolysis of triglycerides, fatty acids have the potential to enter tissues where oxidation takes place or be reassembled into triglycerides for storage. Fatty acids which are free will bind to albumin in plasma. 

MCT: Studies have investigated Vd, estimating them to be around 19 L for medium-chain fatty acids and 4.5 L for MCTs in a standard subject who are 70-kg.. MCTs exhibit weak binding to albumin (serum) and can easily traverse the BBB. 

Metabolism 

Soyabean oil: The lipid particles introduced through infusion are cleared from the blood. The enzyme lipoprotein lipase hydrolyzes triglycerides into glycerol and free fatty acids. Oxidation of fatty acids that are free in the liver or its conversion to lipoproteins with very low density via hepatic lipase enzyme before re-entering the bloodstream. 

MCT: Lipoprotein lipase hydrolyzes medium-chain triglycerides into medium-chain free fatty acids  and glycerol, including linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid. Subsequently, β-oxidation of free fatty acids in heart, kidneys and liver. linoleic acid and Alpha-linolenic acid follow a shared biochemical pathway, undergoing a series of elongation steps and desaturation. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and are the  products of downstream alpha-linolenic acid, while arachidonic acid is formed after conversion of linoleic acid. 

Elimination and Excretion 

Soyabean oil: The lungs expel carbon dioxide resulting from the conversion of smaller fatty acid units. 

MCT: Limited information is accessible concerning the primary elimination pathway. The half-life for MCTs is documented to be 11 min and approx. 17 min for medium-chain fatty acids.

Adminstartion

Administration: 

Soya-bean oil and medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) offer versatile administration options based on their intended use and medical context. 

For soya bean oil: 

1. Oral Administration: Soya-bean oil serves as a prevalent dietary supplement commonly taken orally. It features various food products and is also consumed independently as a supplement. 
2. Intravenous (IV) Administration: In specific medical settings, formulations containing soya-bean oil may be administered intravenously, especially in contexts like parenteral nutrition, to supply essential fatty acids. 

Regarding Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCT): 

1. Oral Administration: MCT oil is frequently ingested orally and is employed as a dietary supplement. It is a regular component in some ketogenic diets. 
2. Topical Application: MCT oil finds application in topical use, such as in skin care products or as a carrier oil for essential oils. 
3. Intravenous (IV) Administration: MCT oil may also be utilized in specific medical scenarios that necessitate the intravenous administration of fats. 

Patient Information Leaflet

Patient information leaflet 

Generic Name: soya-bean oil, medium-chain triglycerides 

Pronounced: SOY-uh bean OY-il, MEE-dee-um chayn try-GLISS-er-ides 

Why do we use soya-bean oil, medium-chain triglycerides? 

Medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) and soya-bean oil are frequently combined as a medicinal preparation in a variety of drugs and dietary supplements.  

Soybean oil and MCTs are frequently utilized as a foundation for nutritional supplements, especially in goods made for people with particular dietary requirements, like those in need of extra fats or calories. 

Parenteral nutrition formulations in medical contexts may contain soya-bean oil and MCTs. For patients who are unable to get enough nutrition by oral or enteral routes, these IV nutrition solutions deliver vital nutrients straight into the bloodstream.