Effect of smoking on plasma and platelet fatty acid composition in middle-aged men

The effect of tobacco cigarette smoking on plasma and platelet fatty acid composition was studied in 219 male subjects. The effect of tobacco on plasma malondialdehyde-like material (MDA-LM) was also evaluated. In the total fatty acid percentage composition in plasma, an increase in the saturated fatty acids at the expense of polyunsaturated fatty acids was observed in those subjects who smoked more than 20 cigarettes/day. In the total fatty acid composition of platelets, an increase in myristic acid (14:0) and palmytoleic acid (16:1) was found. Additionally, when the fatty acid composition of the different platelet lipid fractions was evaluated, an increase in 14:0 and 16:0 + 16:1 was observed in phospholipids. Finally, the plasma MDA-LM level was significantly higher in those subjects who smoked more than 10 cigarettes/day. The biochemical variations found in this study may be compatible with the greater incidence of CHD observed in smokers.