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Deficiencies of essential fatty acids and vitamin E in cystic fibrosis
Insights
Children with cystic fibrosis have significantly lower serum vitamin E levels compared to healthy children. Fatty acid patterns in serum lipids did not differ significantly between the groups.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder affecting multiple organs.
- Vitamin E is a crucial antioxidant, and its deficiency can impact health.
- Altered lipid metabolism is observed in CF patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum vitamin E levels in children with cystic fibrosis.
- To analyze fatty acid profiles in serum lipid fractions of CF patients.
- To compare these findings with those of matched healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples were collected from 25 children with cystic fibrosis and 24 healthy controls.
- Total serum vitamin E levels were measured.
- Fatty acid patterns in serum cholesterol esters, phospholipids, and triglycerides were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Serum vitamin E levels were significantly lower in CF patients (0.30 +/- 0.26 mg/dl) compared to controls (1.02 +/- 0.24 mg/dl).
- No significant differences were found in the fatty acid patterns of serum ester fractions between CF patients and controls.
- A trend towards decreased linoleic acid was observed in the cholesterol ester fraction of CF patients.
Conclusions:
- Children with cystic fibrosis exhibit significantly reduced serum vitamin E levels.
- Fatty acid composition of major serum lipids is largely preserved in CF, despite vitamin E deficiency.
- Further research may explore the influence of growth velocity on essential fatty acid levels in CF.
Abstract:
In 25 children (13 male; 12 female) with cystic fibrosis aged 6 months to 16 years and 24 matched controls total serum vitamin E levels and fatty acid patterns of serum cholesterol esters, phospholipids and triglycerides are demonstrated. Compared to controls (1.02 +/- 0.24 mg/dl) the total serum vitamin E levels are significantly decreased in patients with cystic fibrosis (0.30 +/- 0.26 mg/dl) (p less than 0.01). There is no significant difference comparing the fatty acid patterns of the serum ester fractions of both groups. Differences can be seen best in the cholesterol ester fraction. In this fraction linoleic acid shows a trend to be decreased in the cystic fibrosis patients compared to the control group. A possible influence of height velocity on the levels of essential fatty acids is discussed.