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Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Measurement of Tissue Oxygenation Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis
Published on: October 2, 2020
Plasma and erythrocyte phospholipid fatty acids composition in Serbian hemodialyzed patients
Vanja Ristić1, Vesna Tepsić, Danijela Ristić-Medié
1Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory for Nutrition and Metabolism, Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro.
Abstract:
Dyslipidemia is one of the possible risk factors for advanced atherosclerosis in patients with chronic renal failure. Abnormal phospholipid metabolism may play an important role in the progression of atherosclerosis in patients with renal failure. The aim of this study was to determine specific characteristics of plasma and erythrocyte phospholipid content and fatty acid composition in 37 patients with chronic renal failure on hemodialysis (HD). The results were compared with the characteristics of healthy subjects. Briefly, plasma triglyceride (p < 0.001), total cholesterol (p < 0.05), and total phospholipids (p < 0.01) levels were significantly higher and HDL-cholesterol level significantly lower (p < 0.01) in HD patients. Plasma phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine concentration were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in HD patients. The plasma phospholipid fatty acids composition indicated significantly (p < 0.01) higher level of oleic (18:1 n-9) and lower levels of eicopentaenoic (20:5 n-3 EPA) and docosahexaenoic (22:6 n-3 DHA) acids (p < 0.05). However, in HD patients, the relative concentration of plasma phospholipid n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) was significantly lower (p < 0.05). The fatty acid composition of erythrocyte phospholipid in HD patients was modified with EPA and DHA levels significantly lowered (p < 0.05). Our results demonstrate an abnormal phospholipid metabolism and deficiency of n-3 PUFA in plasma and erythrocyte phospholipids in hemodialyzed patients.
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