Summary
We have studied “ex vivo”, in 92 normal subjects, the influence of fatty acids (FA)
that esterify plasma cholesterol and triglycerides on the fatty acid composition of
phospholipids, triglycerides and free fatty acid fractions in platelets.
High and significant correlations (p <0.001) were found for some of the platelet phospholipid
FA and the same FA that esterify plasma cholesterol [18:11 (r = 0.56); 18:2 (r = 0.71)
and 20:5 (r = 0.42)] and plasma triglycerides [18:1[*] (r = 0.57) and 18:2 (r = 0.66)]. Some significant correlations were also found between
some of the platelet triglyceride FA and the same FA that esterify plasma phospholipids
[18:1 (r = 0.58)], triglycerides [18:1 (r = 0.51), 18:2 (r = 0.52)] cholesterol [18:1
(r = 0.44)] and plasma free fatty acids [18:1 (r = 0.39); 18:2 (r = 0.40)].
By evaluating these results in conjunction with those of an earlier study (1), it
can be concluded that “ in vivo” the FA from different plasma lipid fractions and
especially those esterifying the plasma cholesterol and phospholipid fractions, can
influence the FA composition of platelet phospholipids in normal subjects. In trying
to interpret the role played by plasma lipids in platelet lipids, it may be of interest
to take into account the interrelationships found in this study.
Keywords
Platelets - Fatty acids - Plasma cholesterol - Plasma triglycerides - Platelet fatty
acid renovation
