Very long-chain fatty acids in erythrocyte membrane phospholipids in adrenoleukodystrophy

Mass fragmentography was used to analyze the very long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA) composition of erythrocyte membrane phospholipids. The VLCFA content decreased in the order sphingomyelin (SM), phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). The tetracosanoic acid (C24:0) and hexacosanoic acid (C26:0) content of both SM and PC in patients with adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) were significantly higher than those in controls. The VLCFA content of PE was too small, in comparison with those of SM, to be accurately determined.