Análisis de la composición de ácido araquidónico y ácidos grasos omega-3 en plasma, membrana eritrocitaria y células inmunitarias de pacientes con cirrosis

Abstract

Introduction and objetiveThe involvement of lipid mediators derived from arachidonic acid (AA) in cirrhosis hepatocellular injury and its modulation by omega-3 fatty acids, such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA) is a topic of growing interest. The content of AA, EPA and DHA may be important to explain, among other things, the vasoconstrictor tone of liver and functional capacity (phagocytosis, ROS production) of immune cells observed in cirrhosis. The objective was to study alterations in the composition of AA, DHA and EPA in plasma, erythrocyte membranes and peripheral blood immune cells in patients with cirrhosis and determine their relationship with liver function impairment. Patients and methodsWe analyzed the fatty acid composition of 42 patients with cirrhosis using the Child-Pugh classification, and 10 healthy controls in plasma, erythrocyte membrane and mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and polymorphonuclear (PMN) from peripheral blood using gas chromatography with mass detection. Results and conclusions1) Patients with cirrhosis showed significant decreases in the percentages of AA in plasma and erythrocyte membrane, as well as EPA and DHA in plasma. 2) AA content in plasma and erythrocyte membrane correlates with impaired liver function (Child scale) and it does not depend on a nutritional deficit. 3) AA and DHA composition varies also in PBMC (lymphocytes and monocytes) of cirrhosis, which may affect immune function of these cells.