Comparison of changes in erythrocyte and platelet phospholipid and fatty acid composition and protein oxidation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse and compare the phospholipid and fatty acid composition of total lipids and the occurrence of lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation directly in erythrocytes or platelets from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma patients.


METHODS
Fifteen consecutive outpatients with COPD (all smokers) and asthma (non-smokers) recruited during a moderate-to-severe (COPD) or moderate (asthma) exacerbation. Fifteen subjects with smoking habits similar to those of COPD patients were studied as a control group.


METHODS
Phospholipid and total fatty acid compositions were analysed by two-dimensional thin layer chromatography or gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, respectively. The lipid fluorescence of lipid extracts was measured by spectrofluorimetry. Protein carbonyl contents and profiles were measured by immunoblot detection.


RESULTS
No differences were found either in erythrocyte or platelet cholesterol or phospholipid levels. Only a decrease in the content of phosphatidylserine + phosphatidylinositol (P<0.003) was detected in platelets from the asthma patients. In erythrocytes, the fatty acid profile changed in both lung pathologies, especially as regards polyunsaturated fatty acids (decreases in arachidonic and 22:4 fatty acid contents). Other observed changes were: COPD, an increase in palmitic fatty acid; asthma, an increase in oleic and decreases in eicosapentaenoic and 22:6 + 24:1 fatty acids. In platelets, the fatty acid profiles revealed many differences between both lung pathologies: COPD, a decrease in 18:1 and increases in 20:5 and 22:5 + 24:0; asthma, a decrease in 20:4 and increase in 22:6 + 24:1. In COPD vs. asthma patients, fatty acid changes were mainly detected in platelets, especially in 18-carbon species, with decreases in stearic and 18:1 fatty acids in the COPD patients. Protein oxidation levels were increased in both lung pathologies in both erythrocytes and platelets.


CONCLUSIONS
COPD and asthma are associated with common or specific changes in the lipid composition of erythrocytes and/or platelets. The data point to lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation phenomena in both types of blood cell, although platelets would be more susceptible to stress.
De Castro
Javier
J
Radiology Service, Santísima Trinidad Foundation Hospital, Salamanca, Spain.
Hernández-Hernández
Angel
A
Rodríguez
Marina C
MC
Sardina
José L
JL
Llanillo
Marcial
M
Sánchez-Yagüe
Jesús
J
D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000737:chemistry*; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000737:chemistry; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000097:blood* / Q000145:classification; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000097:blood*; D050050:Protein Carbonylation; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014797:Vital Capacity
D001798:Blood Proteins; D005227:Fatty Acids; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D010743:Phospholipids; D002784:Cholesterol