title: The fatty acids of erythrocytes of myocardial infarction patients.
abstract: Arachidonic acid (C20 : 4 omega 6) and eicosapentaenoic acid (C20 : 5 omega 3) are precursors of two different series of prostaglandins important in homeostasis of the cardiovascular system. The levels of these and other fatty acids have been measured in a group of 20 patients who had suffered myocardial infarction (samples taken within 12 h of infarction) and a group of 17 healthy age-matched controls using the erythrocyte as a lipid probe. There was no significant difference between the level of C20 : 4 omega 6 in patients and controls. There was however a highly significant difference in the level of the peak containing C20 : 5 omega 3 i.e. 6.60% +/- 0.29 (mean and SE of mean) for controls; 3.91 +/- 0.36 (mean and SE of mean) for patients with myocardial infarction. In each of the two groups the relationship between the levels of the two fatty acids arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid and their essential fatty acid precursors has been investigated. No significant functional relationship was found except between C18 : 3 omega 3 and C20 : 5 omega 3 in the control group. These results are discussed in relation to homeostasis and recent evidence that levels of these fatty acids can be altered by dietary manipulation.
mesh_terms: D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000097:blood*; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000032:analysis*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000032:analysis*; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000097:blood*; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid