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

Previous studies suggested that acetate in parenteral solutions may adversely affect mineral metabolism by causing sequestration of inorganic 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 isocaloric 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 Mg concentration decreased from 0.7 ± 0.03 to 0.57 ± 0.03 mmol/L (p < 0.001) by 90 min and remained at this level for the remainder of the study. The triacetin infusion did not influence fractional urinary Mg excretion; thus, the decrease in serum Mg was likely because of an increase in cellular transport of this cation. A short-chain triglyceride administered to dogs at a rate approximating resting energy expenditure has no demonstrable adverse effects on mineral metabolism.