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Essential Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Blood from Patients with and without Catheter-Proven Coronary Artery Disease.

Abstract

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. Statins reduce morbidity and mortality of CAD. Intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFAs), particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), is associated with reduced morbidity and mortality in patients with CAD. Previous data indicate that a higher conversion of precursor fatty acids (FAs) to arachidonic acid (AA) is associated with increased CAD prevalence. Our study explored the FA composition in blood to assess n-3 PUFA levels from patients with and without CAD. We analyzed blood samples from 273 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization. Patients were stratified according to clinically relevant CAD (n = 192) and those without (n = 81). FA analysis in full blood was performed by gas chromatography. Indicating increased formation of AA from precursors, the ratio of dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) to AA, the delta-5 desaturase index (D5D index) was higher in CAD patients. CAD patients had significantly lower levels of omega-6 polyunsaturated FAs (n-6 PUFA) and n-3 PUFA, particularly EPA, in the blood. Thus, our study supports a role of increased epa levels for cardioprotection.

Authors

Wang, Chaoxuan,Enssle, Jorg,Pietzner, Anne,Schmocker, Christoph,Weiland, Linda,Ritter, Oliver,Jaensch, Monique,Elbelt, Ulf,Pagonas, Nikolaos,Weylandt, Karsten H
Published Date 2022 Jan 11