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Published on: March 13, 2014
Changes in the fatty acid composition of stored erythrocytes from sheep of different ages
A Fernández1, J Sánchez-Yagüe, E M Martín-Valmaseda
1Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Salamanca, Spain.
Abstract:
This study examined the profile in sheep erythrocyte fatty acids from animals of different ages during storage at 4 degrees C in a nutritive medium for up to 6 days. The changes found in the fatty acyl profile were a decrease (P < 0.01) in the percentage of arachidonic acid and an increase (P < 0.01) in the percentage of minor fatty acids (representing < 2% in each case; 20:2, 22:0 and 22:1) with respect to fresh erythrocytes in all age groups. However, the saturated/unsaturated ratios and unsaturated index started almost constant in all cases. The changes observed occurred after 24-48 h of storage, with significant increases (P < 0.01) in the fluorescence detected in the lipid extracts from stored erythrocytes during this period. The above findings suggest peroxidative damage and changes in the erythrocyte lipid membrane during storage.
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