Erythrocyte membrane fatty acid composition as a marker of dietary compliance in hyperlipidaemic subjects.
Dietary intervention is the first treatment step in management of hyperlipidaemia, but there are few objective criteria of compliance. Whether intensive dietary intervention would produce a detectable change in erythrocyte membrane fatty acid composition which could be used as a marker of compliance was examined in 31 new hyperlipidaemic patients. Over a 6 month period, body mass index fell from 29.0 to 26.9 kg/m2 (P < 0.001) and total cholesterol by 19% from 8.16 to 6.58 mmol/l (P < 0.001). The energy derived from fat was reduced from 38.5% to 29.6% (P < 0.001), and the ratio of dietary polyunsaturated to saturated (P:S) fatty acids in the diet increased from 0.45 to 0.66 (P < 0.01). Small but significant changes were recorded in several red cell membrane fatty acids, and the P:S ratio increased from 0.91 to 1.13 (P < 0.001). It would appear, therefore, that red cell membrane changes parallel dietary changes and hence are a potential marker for compliance with dietary changes.
Tynan
M B
MB
Department of Medicine, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, UK.
Nicholls
D P
DP
Maguire
S M
SM
Steele
I C
IC
McMaster
C
C
Moore
R
R
Trimble
E R
ER
Pearce
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000737:chemistry*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance
D005227:Fatty Acids