Responses of hepatoma-bearing rats to total parenteral hyperalimentation and to ad libitum feeding

BUF rats with a transplantable Morris hepatoma No. 7777 were given three feeding regimens, (i) solid food ad libitum, (ii) total parenteral hyperalimentation, and (iii) liquid diet ad libitum. Those rats on solid or liquid food ad libitum undergo body weight loss or cancer cachexia with decreased food intake. Total parenteral hyperalimentation prevented the loss in body weight but stimulated tumor growth when compared to those fed ad libitum. Although there was no significant difference in survival time in the tumorous rats in the different feeding groups, the parenterally fed rats appeared to die with fluid overload while the ad libitum fed rats died of inanition or starvation.