Serum lipid profile and fatty acid composition of erythrocyte phospholipids in children and adolescents with primary hyperlipidemia

Abstract

This study aimed at characterizing the fatty acid (FA) composition of red blood cell (RBC) phospholipids in children and adolescents with primary hyperlipidemia, and to ascertain potential association with serum lipid profile and dietary factors. At this purpose, 54 probands aged 6–17 years were recruited. Subjects showed a low omega-3 index (eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA + docosahexaenoic acid, DHA <4%). Compared to males, females had a trend toward lower levels of total monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and MUFA/saturated fatty acids (SFAs) ratio in RBCs. An inverse relationship between MUFA concentration in RBCs and serum cholesterol or HDL-C/triglycerides ratio was found. Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-6 PUFA) were positively associated to serum HDL-C levels, and inversely to dietary cholesterol. Fiber intake was positively associated with MUFA/SFA ratio. In conclusion, we provide the first experimental data on phospholipid FA composition of RBCs in hyperlipidemic children, showing sex differences and an overall low omega 3-index.

Keywords:

• Children
• primary hyperlipidemia
• erythrocytes
• phospholipids
• lipid profile
• omega-3 index

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Mr Daniele Contino for the support in fatty acid analyses.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding this research.

Funding

This work was supported by Finpiemonte S.p.A., Fondo Europeo di Sviluppo Regionale - Programma Operativo Regionale 2007/2013, Italy [grant number: FA270-264C].