title: Evaluation of fatty acids in membrane phospholipids of erythrocytes in retinitis pigmentosa patients.
abstract: Several investigators have observed abnormalities of plasma DHA in various common forms of retinitis pigmentosa. Erythrocyte membranes are an accessible tissue which may more closely reflect neural membrane fatty acid levels, but little data is yet available on their fatty acid composition in retinitis pigmentosa patients. We have evaluated the DHA levels in red blood cells membrane phospholipids in various genetic forms of retinitis pigmentosa and relative controls. The results obtained indicate significantly lower DHA levels in red blood cell membrane phospholipids in retinitis pigmentosa patients with respect to controls (p < 0.01). This data is significant for autosomal dominant forms only (p < 0.01). Fatty acid content alterations in membrane phospholipids of red blood cells may be considered as markers for abnormalities in the lipid metabolism which disturb the retina integrity.
authors.affiliation: Eye Clinic, 2nd University of Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Simonelli
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Manna
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Romano
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nunziata
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Voto
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rinaldi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D004596:Electroretinography; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012174:Retinitis Pigmentosa / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D014794:Visual Fields
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005227:Fatty Acids; D008563:Membrane Lipids; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids