We studied changes in fatty acid composition in the lipid fraction of red cell membranes and carbohydrate metabolism in patients presenting with primary gout with and without arterial hypertension. They were characterized by an increased content of saturated and decreased level of unsaturated fatty acids. The latter contained more monoenoic and significantly less polyenoic acids compared with the normal values. The pool of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) contained a small amount of w-3 PUFA whereas that of w-6 PUFA varied oppositely, i.e. the relative amount of gamma-linolenic acid was elevated and that of dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid significantly decreased compared with healthy men. The fractional composition of higher fatty acids in patients with gout depended on AH and peculiarities of carbohydrate metabolism. The data obtained suggest the contribution of disturbances in fatty acid metabolism and insulin resistance to the development of AH syndrome in patients with primary gout.