Summary
Background. Fatty acids (FAs) of cell phospholipid membrane can influence membrane’s structure, composition, elasticity and viscosity. Therefore, FAs may determine protein function, enzyme and receptor activity, and lipid peroxidation processes. The aim of this study was to determine and evaluate FA composition of erythrocyte and thrombocyte phospholipid membrane and its differences in healthy volunteers.
Material and Methods. FA methyl esters from thrombocyte and erythrocyte membrane of 40 apparently healthy volunteers (15 men, aged from 24 to 45 years and 25 women, aged from 24 to 44 years) were identified using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry before FA extraction by Folch method and thin layer chromatography. 13 FAs were identified by determining the percentage of each FA from the total amount in thrombocyte and erythrocyte membranes.
Results. The total sum of saturated FAs (SFAs) was higher in thrombocyte membrane than in erythrocyte (p = 0.00010). But the levels of monounsaturated FAs (MUFAs) and omega-3 FAs were observed higer in erythrocytes (p = 0.00003; p = 0.02840). More saturated stearin FA was found in men both cell membranes than in women (p = 0.0008545; p = 0.008362). Furthermore, the sum of MUFAs was also lower in women thrombocyte membrane (p = 0.00388), but the percentage of PUFAs was found to be higher in women than in men thrombocytes (p = 0.002014).
Conclusions. The results revealed that thrombocyte membrane was more abundant in SFAs, while erythrocytes in unsaturated FAs. Additionlly, more PUFAs were found in women thrombocyte membrane, but SFAs and MUFAs in men.
