Age-related distributions of nine fasting plasma free fatty acids in a population of Chinese adults.
BACKGROUND
Free fatty acids (FFAs) play important roles in health and disease. We investigated the distributions of nine plasma FFAs in a population of Chinese adults.


METHODS
Three hundred and ninety-nine healthy individuals aged 18-104 years were divided into 4 groups: 18-39 years; 40-59 years; 60-79 years; and 80-104 years. Nine plasma FFAs, including C12:0, C14:0, C16:0, C16:1, C18:0, C18:1 C18:2, C20:4 and C20:5 were determined using a validated HPLC method.


RESULTS
There were significant differences among the 4 age groups in the plasma total FFA (TFA), saturated fatty acid (SFA), unsaturated fatty acid (UFA), and eight specific FFA concentrations, and the ratios of SFA to UFA, SFA to TFA, and UFA to TFA as well (all P<0.05), except for FFA C16:1. However, no significant difference was found between males and females. The 4 most abundant FFAs, C16:0, C18:0, C18:1 and C18:2 account for >90% of plasma total FFA. Reference intervals for individual FFAs are set at the 10th-90th percentile.


CONCLUSIONS
Significant differences in eight specific plasma FFAs among various age groups were found in a population of Chinese adults. C16:0, C18:0, C18:1 and C18:2 are the most abundant FFAs in the fasting plasma. Reference intervals are established for the local Chinese community.
Center for Gene Diagnosis, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Donghu Road 169#, Wuhan 430071, PR China.
Fan
F
Shen
Jiahui
J
Qi
Fengxia
F
Xu
Leping
L
Ning
Richard
R
Pang
Xin
X
Zhou
Songmei
S
Liu
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044466:Asian People; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005215:Fasting / Q000097:blood*; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012015:Reference Standards; D012016:Reference Values
D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified