Purpose of review: A lipid emulsion for use in parenteral nutrition containing a significant proportion of olive oil in place of soybean oil (ClinOleic; Baxter, Maurepas, France) is now available. The purpose of this review is to provide background information about the rationale for this emulsion, to collate and synthesize the literature about it, and to highlight recent studies in which it has been used.
Recent findings: ClinOleic offered significant advantage over soybean oil-based emulsions in terms of glucose metabolism in preterm infants. ClinOleic was recently used for the first time in malnourished haemodialysis, trauma and burn patients and was found to be safe and well tolerated. In burn patients ClinOleic was associated with better liver function.
Summary: ClinOleic is safe and well tolerated in preterm infants, and in home parenteral nutrition, haemodialysis, trauma and burn patients and may offer advantages with regard to liver function, oxidative stress and immune function. ClinOleic may offer significant advantage over soybean oil-based emulsions in terms of glucose metabolism in preterm infants. More clinical studies of ClinOleic are required and these should include evaluation of oxidative stress markers and immune function as well as of clinical outcomes.