Fatty acids in plasma and red cell membranes in normal humans

A detailed study was made of the fatty acid composition of plasma triglycerides, free fatty acids, phospholipids, red cell total phospholipids, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine in 32 normal males and 18 normal females. No sex differences could be detected. There were substantial differences in the compositions of the various fractions and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids were particularly important in the red cells.