Fatty acid composition of erythrocyte phospholipids is related to insulin levels, secretion and resistance in obese type 2 diabetics on Metformin

Abstract

Background: Relationships between fatty acids in erythrocyte phospholipids and insulin parameters have been described in healthy and overweight individuals, but not in obese diabetics. We assessed whether erythrocyte phospholipid fatty acids are related to insulin parameters in obese type 2 diabetics on Metformin. Methods: In 23 diabetics, the fractions of the different fatty acids in erythrocyte phospholipids were correlated with insulin levels, secretion, sensitivity, resistance and insulinemic response following a standardised breakfast. Results: Fasting insulin levels and insulin resistance correlated positively with the fraction of α-linolenic and dihomo-γ-linolenic acid and with the ratios of stearic to palmitic and dihomo-γ-linolenic to linoleic acid and negatively with the fraction of palmitic acid in erythrocyte phospholipids. Insulin secretion correlated negatively with the fraction of palmitic acid. For this parameter, a positive correlation was also found with the sum of uneven fatty acids. Insulinemic response following a meal was negatively associated with the fraction of oleic acid in erythrocyte phospholipids. Insulin sensitivity did not correlate with erythrocyte fatty acids. Conclusions: The relationships found differ from those described in healthy and overweight individuals and may be characteristic for type 2 diabetics. They concur with the recommendations that saturated fat intake should be reduced and monounsaturated increased.