Biological variability of blood omega-3 biomarkers.
OBJECTIVE
We conducted a pilot study to estimate the biological variability and effects of a prior meal on the omega-3 fatty acid (FA) content of 3 blood FA pools.


METHODS
We measured FA levels in red blood cells (RBCs), plasma and plasma phospholipids (PL) obtained from 20 healthy volunteers tested weekly over 6 weeks.


RESULTS
The within-subject coefficients of variation were 4.1%+/-1.9%, 15.9%+/-6.4%, and 14.5%+/-8.4%, respectively (RBC vs. others, p<0.001). RBC omega-3 FA content had the lowest biological variability and was not altered in the fed state.


CONCLUSIONS
From the perspective of variability and of the sample types tested, RBCs may be the preferred sample type for assessing omega-3 FA status.
Harris
William S
WS
Cardiovascular Health Research Center, Sanford Research/USD and Sanford School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA. harrisw@sanfordhealth.org
Thomas
Rachael M
RM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000097:blood*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010949:Plasma / Q000737:chemistry; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3