Twelve normal men received twice their estimated basal energy requirement by a carbohydrate solution via a nasogastric catheter during 48 hours, followed by a seven-hour fast. Subsequently, in nine of them 0.5 mg epinephrine was given subcutaneously under ongoing fasting. During hyperalimentation, serum triglycerides, phospholipids, total and free cholesterol, phospholipids/free cholesterol ratio, and plasma free fatty acids decreased, whereas the percentage of free cholesterol increased. During fasting and subsequent epinephrine administration triglycerides and free fatty acids rose without reaching basal levels. Plasma and red blood cell (RBC) fatty acid composition already changed from two hours after the start of the feeding. Most markedly, a steady decrease in RBC 18:2c, omega 6, amounting to more than 17% of the basal value at the end of the observation period was found. Neither in plasma, nor in RBC a concomitant appearance of 20:3c, omega 9 was seen. In RBC, the relative amounts of the saturated fatty acids increased, whereas those of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids decreased. RBC content of total fatty acids decreased and that of cholesterol increased. The ratios 16:1c, omega 7/16:0 and 18:3c, omega 6/18:2c, omega 6 in plasma, and 20:3c, omega 6/18:2c, omega 6 in plasma and RBC increased, whereas those of 18:1c, omega 7/16:1c, omega 7 and 20:3c, omega 6/18:3c, omega 6 in plasma decreased. After 48 hours feeding serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase levels were moderately increased and rose further during fasting. Thus, continuous enteral hyperalimentation by carbohydrates alone rapidly induces profound changes in serum-, plasma-, and RBC lipid compositions and serum parameters of hepatic function.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)