title: The fatty acid composition of human gliomas differs from that found in nonmalignant brain tissue.
abstract: To compare the fatty acid composition of tumor tissue from glioma patients with that of normal brain tissue, tissue samples were obtained from 13 glioma patients and from 3 nonmalignant patients. Following lipid extraction, total fatty acid composition was measured using gas-liquid chromatography. samples were further separated into phospholipids and neutral lipids. Representative samples were then separated into phospholipid classes by thin-layer chromatography and the fatty acid composition assayed. Levels of the polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), were significantly reduced (P = 0.029) in the glioma samples compared with normal brain samples; mean values were 4.8 +/- 2.9% and 9.2 +/- 1.0%, respectively. This reduction in glioma DHA content was also observed in terms of phospholipids (4.6 +/- 2.1% vs. 9.6 +/- 0.8%, P = 0.002). The phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine phospholipid classes were reduced in the glioma samples. Differences were also noted in the n-6 PUFA content between glioma and normal brain samples. The glioma content of the n-6 PUFA linoleic acid was significantly greater (P < 0.05) than that observed in the control samples in terms of total lipids. Thus, the fatty acid composition of human gliomas differs from that found in nonmalignant brain tissue.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City 52242, USA.
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Robbins
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Spector
authors.forename: B C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Hussey
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000032:analysis; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000032:analysis / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005910:Glioma / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D005227:Fatty Acids; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D008055:Lipids; D010743:Phospholipids; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids