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The Associations of Erythrocyte Fatty Acids with Whole Blood Mineral Elements in Children
Zhi Huang1,2,3, Xing Liu1,2, Ziming Li4
1Key Laboratory of Phytochemical R & D of Hunan Province, School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Hunan Normal University, Lu Mountain Road No. 286, Changsha 410081, China.
Insights
This study found that zinc and copper levels in Chinese children
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Biochemistry
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Trace Element Metabolism
Background:
- Minerals are essential for biological processes, including lipid metabolism.
- Understanding mineral-fatty acid interactions is crucial for child health.
- Erythrocyte fatty acids (FAs) reflect lipid metabolism and nutritional status.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the associations between erythrocyte fatty acid levels and whole blood mineral concentrations in Chinese children.
- To explore potential interactions between specific minerals (Mg, Cu, Zn) and various fatty acids.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 435 children aged 4–7 years.
- Whole blood mineral elements analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometry.
- Erythrocyte fatty acid composition determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
Main Results:
- Positive correlations observed between zinc levels and specific polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and total PUFAs.
- Zinc also correlated with monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and specific FAs in children with lower copper levels.
- Magnesium showed inverse relationships with most FAs in children with higher copper levels.
- Copper levels were positively associated with a broad range of FAs, including omega-3 and omega-6 PUFAs, in children with lower zinc levels.
Conclusions:
- Whole blood copper and zinc concentrations are directly associated with erythrocyte fatty acid levels in children.
- Interactions between magnesium, copper, and zinc with fatty acids may influence fatty acid metabolism.
- Magnesium appears to play a role in fatty acid absorption.
Abstract:
Background. Minerals play important biological roles in lipid metabolism. The primary aim of this study was to examine the relationships between erythrocyte fatty acids (FAs) levels with whole blood mineral elements concentrations among Chinese children. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 435 children aged 4−7 years were recruited. Whole blood mineral elements were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry and erythrocyte FAs composition by gas chromatography-mass spectrometer. Results. There were direct correlations between Zn and C18:2n-6 (FDR corrected p = 0.019), total n-6 PUFAs (FDR corrected p = 0.034), and total PUFAs (FDR corrected p = 0.034). Direct correlations were found between whole blood Zn and C18:1n-9 (FDR corrected p = 0.035), C24:1n-9 (FDR corrected p = 0.023), total MUFAs (FDR corrected p = 0.023), and C18:2n-6 (FDR corrected p = 0.048) in the Cu < P50 group. In the Cu ≥ P50 group, Mg was inversely related to most FAs (All FDR corrected p < 0.05). In the Zn < P50 group, Cu was directly related to C24:1n-9, total MUFAs, C20:5n-3, C22:6n-3, total n-3 PUFAs, C20:4n-6, total n-6 PUFAs, total PUFAs, and total FAs (All FDR corrected p < 0.05). Conclusions. Whole blood Cu and Zn levels were directly linked to several FAs levels in the erythrocytes of children. The interactions of Mg, Cu, and Zn with fatty acids may affect FA metabolism, in which Mg influences FA absorption.
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