The study compared Vegaven, an experimental lipid emulsion containing Ahiflower oil, with the fish oil-containing SMOFlipid. Researchers found that DHA levels in the brain were similar between the groups, but piglets receiving Vegaven showed higher metabolic activity and growth signaling.
The results add to research into the role shorter-chain plant omega-3s could play in PN, particularly for premature and sick infants during a critical period of brain development.
Looking beyond DHA
Much of the research into lipid emulsions used in PN has focused on whether enough DHA and arachidonic acid (ARA) reach the developing brain.
Dr. Michael Zaugg and Dr. Eliana Lucchinetti, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine at the University of Alberta, looked beyond fatty acid levels to examine inflammation, energy production and processes involved in brain growth.
Vegaven contains alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and stearidonic acid (SDA) from Ahiflower oil. The body can convert these plant-derived fatty acids into longer-chain omega-3s, including EPA and DHA.
SMOFlipid contains fish oil, which provides EPA and DHA directly.
For the study, newborn female piglets received PN containing either Vegaven or SMOFlipid for 14 days.
The Vegaven group had lower markers of brain inflammation and higher metabolic activity. The researchers also reported stronger growth-related signaling, while the SMOFlipid group showed more signs of energy stress.
Speaking to NutraIngredients, Dr. Zaugg said previous studies in piglets also found that Vegaven supplied the developing brain with adequate DHA and ARA.
“Our study provides evidence that the use of shorter chain 18-carbon n-3 fatty acids in PN, namely SDA and ALA from the plant-based Ahiflower oil, reduces inflammation in the neonatal brain and, as a result, boosts metabolic activity and growth compared with the use of standard longer chain 20/22-carbon n-3 fatty acids,” Dr. Zaugg said.
‘Something beyond DHA’
Dr. Richard Bazinet, professor at the University of Toronto, said the similar DHA levels between the two groups stood out.
“There is a growing body of evidence that shorter-chain omega-3 fatty acids can support brain DHA levels in adults,” he told NI. “This study extends this finding to piglets receiving parenteral nutrition.”
Dr. Bazinet noted that the two-week study covered a substantial portion of the piglets’ early postnatal brain growth spurt.
Despite similar brain DHA levels, several markers of inflammation, energy metabolism and signaling were better in the Vegaven group.
“Why is that?” Dr. Bazinet asked.
“It raises the hypothesis that something beyond DHA, perhaps the shorter-chain fatty acids are contributing.”
Dr. Zaugg pointed to inflammation as one possible explanation.
Their earlier research found that the shorter-chain fatty acids used in Vegaven can be converted into compounds that help regulate inflammation. The researchers said this may help shift the body from breaking down tissue for energy toward growth and repair.
The current study did not measure the formation or maturation of connections between brain cells, so it is not known whether the metabolic differences affected brain development or function.
Early-stage research
The findings are limited to an animal model, and Vegaven has not been infused into humans.
The formulation has now been studied in mice and in male and female neonatal piglets. According to Dr. Zaugg, the results across those studies showed benefits in the brain, liver, immune system and metabolism compared with conventional fish oil-containing lipid emulsions.
Ahiflower oil has also been consumed orally in human nutrition studies, but the researchers acknowledged that more evidence is needed before the Vegaven findings can be applied to PN in humans.
Dr. Bazinet said relatively little research has compared omega-3 sources in PN, despite the amount of work on DHA and brain development.
“This is a relatively under researched area and there appears to be a lot of opportunity for innovation,” he said.
Vegaven is now moving from late preclinical development toward early clinical research, according to Dr. Zaugg.
“While Vegaven containing Ahiflower oil is highly promising, it is currently too early to speculate on its potential impact on clinical practice in PN,” he said.
Source: Current Developments in Nutrition DOI: 10.1016/j.cdnut.2026.109400 “Enhanced Energy Metabolism and Developmental Signaling in Neonatal Brains of Female Piglets Parenterally Fed with 18-Carbon n-3 Fatty Acid-Based Vegaven Compared with Fish Oil-Containing Lipid Emulsion”. Authors: E. Lucchinetti et al
