title: Effect of dietary cod-liver oil on the lipid composition of human erythrocyte membranes.
abstract: The effect of dietary cod-liver oil on factors which characterize membrane lipid fluidity was studied. To six volunteers a daily supplement of 15 ml of cod-liver oil, providing 3 g of omega 3 fatty acids, was given for 2 weeks. Changes induced by the supplement in the fatty acid patterns of the individual erythrocyte phospholipid classes did not occur at the same rate or in the same degree. A rapid incorporation of omega 3 fatty acids in plasma lipids and in erythrocyte phosphatidyl choline, at the expense of linoleic acid, was seen, resulting in increased total unsaturation. A slower and quantitatively smaller incorporation of omega 3 fatty acids in erythrocyte phosphatidyl ethanolamine and phosphatidyl serine was seen. No change in the fatty acid pattern of sphingomyelin was seen. Withdrawal of the supplement for 2 weeks did partly reverse the cod-liver oil induced changes in erythrocyte phosphatidyl choline, while the changes in erythrocyte phosphatidyl ethanolamine and phosphatidyl serine lasted. Neither a change in distribution of erythrocyte phospholipid classes, nor in the erythrocyte cholesterol/phospholipid ratio was found. The observed changes in lipid composition are indicative of an increased lipid fluidity.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D002788:Cholesterol Esters / Q000097:blood; D003060:Cod Liver Oil / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000097:blood; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D002788:Cholesterol Esters; D005395:Fish Oils; D008055:Lipids; D010743:Phospholipids; D014280:Triglycerides; D003060:Cod Liver Oil; D002784:Cholesterol