Bioanalysis of PUFA metabolism and lipid peroxidation in coronary atherosclerosis

Twenty eight men (age 34-77 years) who underwent an elective coronary angio graphy for coronary artery disease (CAD), were studied. They were divided i nto group A (luminal narrowing < 50%; n = 11) and group B (luminal narrowin g > 50%; n = 17). Capillary gas chromatography was used for determination o f fatty acids. Retinol and alpha-tocopherol were analyzed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), other parameters were deter minated spectrofluorometrically and spectrophotometrically. Severe coronary atherosclerosis in group B was associated with higher serum low density li poprotein/high density lipoprotein (LDL/HDL) cholesterol ratio, triacylglyc erols, and phospholipids (P < 0.05). Erythrocyte membrane fatty acids C14:0 , C16:1 and C22:6n3 were significantly higher in group B (P < 0.05). We fou nd significantly higher plasma polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) C18:3n6 i n group B, whereas plasma linoleic acid was not changed significantly. Ther e was a significant increase of IDL-C18:0, LDL-C14:0 and HDL-C22:6n3 PUFA i n group B. We conclude that disturbances in saturated fatty acids (SUFA) an d PUFA metabolism are associated with coronary atherogenesis. Such abnormal ities may include enhanced extrahepatic transport of C14:0 SUFA via LDL and its incorporation into cell membranes, and enhanced clearance of anti athe rosclerotic C22:6n3 PUFA via serum HDL. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.