Sl. Connor et al., Cheek cell phospholipids in human infants: a marker of docosahexaenoic andarachidonic acids in the diet, plasma, and red blood cells, AM J CLIN N, 71(1), 2000, pp. 21-27
Background: Assessment of essential fatty acid status requires collection o
f blood or adipose tissue samples. However, these invasive techniques canno
t always be used in studies involving infants, young children, or subjects
from whom it is difficult to obtain blood. A body tissue that is easy to ac
cess is the buccal mucosa (cheek cells).
Objective: The objective was to investigate the degree to which fatty acids
of cheek cells reflect the fatty acid content of plasma, red blood cells,
and the diet.
Design: Thirty-one infants aged 12 mo were enrolled. Five infants were fed
human milk and 26 infants received formulas that provided a wide range of a
rachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) intakes, Cheek cells were co
llected on a small piece of gauze by gently swabbing the inside of the chee
k 3 times. Lipids were extracted from the gauze and the phospholipid fatty
acid content of the cheek cells was determined.
Results: Cheek cell DHA and arachidonic acid in phospholipids were signific
antly correlated with DHA and arachidonic acid in plasma [r = 0.61 (P < 0.0
01) and r = 0.37 (P < 0.05), respectively], red blood cells [r = 0.58 (P <
0.001) and r = 0.37 (P < 0.05), respectively], and the diet [r = 0.65 (P <
0.001) and r = 0.51 (P < 0.01), respectively].
Conclusions: Given these correlations and the ease and noninvasive nature o
f this technique, cheek cell fatty acids may serve as a marker of the essen
tial fatty acid content, especially of DHA and arachidonic acid, in plasma,
red blood cells, and the diet.