Associations between red blood cells fatty acids, desaturases indices and metabolism of platelet activating factor in healthy volunteers

Abstract

Introduction: Platelet-activating-factor is an inflammatory lipid mediator. Key enzymes of its biosynthesis are CDP-choline:1-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol-cholinephosphotransferase (PAF-CPT) and acetyl-CoA:lyso-PAF-acetyltransferases (Lyso-PAF-AT) while PAF-AH/Lp-PLA₂ degrade PAF. The interplay between PAF and fatty acids metabolism was explored.

Material and methods: In a healthy population, PAF levels, its metabolic enzymes activity and RBC fatty acids were measured while desaturases indices (D) were estimated. A principal component analysis was also applied to assess patterns of RBC fatty acids.

Results: SFA were related to increased PAF biosynthesis and decreased Lp-PLA₂ only in women. MUFA were inversely associated with PAF biosynthesis and positively with Lp-PLA₂. Omega-6 fatty acids were positively correlated only with PAF-CPT while no significant correlations were observed with n3 fatty acids. D6 index was positively related with PAF biosynthetic enzymes and inversely with Lp-PLA₂ while D9 correlated positively with Lp-PLA_2. The pattern of high MUFA and low n6 was associated with reduced PAF biosynthesis and/or increased catabolism in both sexes.

Conclusion: The role of fatty acids in amplifying or reducing inflammation seems to be also reflected in PAF metabolism.

Keywords: Diet; PAF, Fatty acids, Erythrocytes, n6 fatty acids, n3 fatty acids, Arachidonic acid, Oleic acid, Nervonic acid, Linoleic acid, Very long chain saturated fatty acids.