Trace elements of fatty acids 'an early warning system' for hypertension

Trace elements of fatty acids in erythrocyte lipids could serve as an early alarm to highlight the potential formation of arterial hypertension in dyslipidemia patients, it is suggested.

Dyslipidemia occurs when the quantity of lipids in the blood - such as triglycerides and cholesterol - differs from the normal level.

A team writing in Lipids in Health and Disease used gas chromatography to investigate trace elements of fatty acids in erythrocytes obtained from arterially hypertensive patients and their healthy counterparts.

Distinctions between the two groups included lower levels of polyunsaturated acids, while in those with dyslipidemia and hypertension the disruption was even more pronounced.

They showed deficiencies of the n3 family of fatty acids, including docosahexaenoic and dokozapentaenovoy polyunsaturated fatty acids.

According to the researchers, erythrocyte fatty acids offer a "fairly subtle indicator" for lipid metabolism pathology, as well as an earlier manifestation of change than shifts in blood plasma lipoprotein levels.