BACKGROUND : Abnormal polyunsaturated fatty acid composition has been increasingly reported in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients with contrasting findings. This study was aimed at investigating the influence of pancreatic status and gender on the fatty acid profile in plasma and erythrocyte membranes in patients with CF.
METHODS : After a one-step transesterification with acetyl chloride on plasma and washed erythrocyte membranes, fatty acid methyl esters were quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in 124 CF patients and 80 age-matched healthy controls. In the CF group, mean (±SD) age was 17.5 ± 11.3 years and male sex distribution, 51.6%. Pancreatic insufficiency was diagnosed in 78% of the CF population.
RESULTS : A decrease in docosahexaenoic acid levels was observed in CF patients independently of the pancreatic status. Pancreatic insufficient CF patients displayed lower levels of linoleic acid, arachidonic acid and higher levels of di-homo gamma linolenic acid and eicosatrienoic acid in plasma and erythrocyte membranes when compared to healthy controls and to pancreatic sufficient CF patients. Male CF patients had significantly lower levels of docosahexaenoic acid and higher levels of eicosatrienoic acid (mead acid) in plasma and erythrocyte membranes when compared to female CF patients.
CONCLUSIONS : Our work supports the concept that multiple abnormalities of the polyunsaturated fatty acid composition participate in the CF disease phenotype and that the pancreatic status plays a major role in such abnormalities. Moreover, we describe a marked gender influence on the polyunsaturated fatty acid spectrum in CF with more marked abnormalities in males.