title: Erythrocyte phospholipid molecular species and fatty acids of Down syndrome children compared with non-affected siblings.
abstract: The majority of children with Down syndrome (DS) develop Alzheimer's disease (AD) at an early age. Although long-chain n-3 fatty acids (FA) are protective of neurodegeneration, little is known about the FA status in DS. In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether children with DS presented altered plasma and erythrocyte membrane phospholipids (PL) FA composition, when compared with their non-affected siblings. Venous blood samples were analysed for plasma and erythrocyte membrane FA composition by TLC followed by GC techniques. Lipid molecular species were determined by electrospray ionisation/tandem MS (ESI-MS/MS). FA analysis measured by standard GC showed an increased concentration of MUFA and a decreased concentration of plasmalogens in major PL fractions, but there were no differences in the concentrations of arachidonic acid or DHA. However, as identified by ESI-MS/MS, children with DS had increased levels of the following erythrocyte PL molecular species: 16 : 0-16 : 0, 16 : 0-18 : 1 and 16 : 0-18 : 2n-6, with reduced levels of 16 : 0-20 : 4n-6 species. Children with DS presented significantly higher levels of MUFA in both plasma and erythrocyte membrane, as well as higher levels of saturated and monounsaturated molecular species. Of interest was the almost double proportion of 16 : 0-18 : 2n-6 and nearly half the proportion of 16 : 0-20 : 4n-6 of choline phosphoacylglycerol species in children with DS compared with their non-affected siblings. These significant differences were only revealed by ESI-MS/MS and were not observed in the GC analysis. Further investigations are needed to explore molecular mechanisms and to test the association between the pathophysiology of DS and the risk of AD.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Science and the Environment, University of Worcester, Henwick Grove,WorcesterWR2 6AJ,UK.
authors.forename: Allain A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Bueno
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology,The Weizmann Institute of Science,Rehovot76100,Israel.
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brand
authors.affiliation: Institute of Brain Chemistry and Human Nutrition, London Metropolitan University,166-220 Holloway Road,LondonN7 8DB,UK.
authors.forename: Marita M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Neville
authors.affiliation: Institute of Brain Chemistry and Human Nutrition, London Metropolitan University,166-220 Holloway Road,LondonN7 8DB,UK.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lehane
authors.affiliation: The Harley Street Clinic,35 Weymouth Street,LondonW1G 8BJ,UK.
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Brierley
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Physiology, Imperial College, London, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital Campus,369 Fulham Road,LondonSW10 9NH,UK.
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Crawford
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002891:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000097:blood*; D002149:Energy Intake; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000737:chemistry; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000097:blood*; D035781:Siblings; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids; D010743:Phospholipids
keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Down syndrome; MS; Phospholipids