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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Polyunsaturated fatty acids and Plasmalogens in diabetics

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Purpose Plasmalogens (PLS) are phospholipids characterized by a vinyl ether bond and a preferential esterification of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). We have previously shown that the lack of PLS leads to retinal hyper-capillarization. We hypothesize that PLS are negative regulators of vascular development, and aimed to check their circulating levels in diabetic patients. Methods Blood samples were collected from 88 patients and 14 control subjects. Among diabetics we had 14 patients without diabetic retinopathy (DR), 12 with a mild non proliferative DR, 12 with a moderate non proliferative DR, 22 with a severe non proliferative DR and 24 with a proliferative DR (PDR). Erythrocytes were isolated from total blood samples. The PLS content and the fatty acid composition of erythrocyte phospholipids were determined using capillary column gas chromatography. Individual species of phospholipids, including PLS, were quantified by liquid chromatography coupled with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometry instrument (HPLC-ESI+MS/MS). Results Gas chromatographic analyzes showed significant reduced levels of omega-3 PUFAs including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and omega-6 PUFAs including arachidonic acid in diabetic patients without DR and in patients with DR at any stage. The analysis of individual species of phospholipids by HPLC-ESI+MS/MS showed reduced levels of choline-phospholipids esterified with DHA in PRD patients and ethanolamine-phospholipids esterified with DHA at the mild, moderate, severe stages of DR but not in PRD. Levels of cholin and ethanolamine-PLS remained stable in all the diabetic patients when compared to controls. Conclusion Our results suggest that omega-6 and omega-3 PUFAs from conventional phospholipids but not PLS may be involved in the pathogenesis of DR.