Fatty Acid Composition of Serum Cholesteryl Esters in Young Adults

Abstract

LEARNING OUTCOME: To describe ethnic and gender differences in serum cholesteryl ester fatty acids in young adults. The composition of fatty acids in serum cholesteryl esters (CE) was analyzed by gas chromatography in 106 young adults (x age=26.5 yrs.) (43 males, 63 females; 63 whites, 43 blacks). A total of 97.4% of the fatty acids in serum CE were explained. The median percentage of fatty acids in serum CE was highest for linoleic (52.5%), followed by oleic (18.4%), palmitic (8.8%), arachadonic (7.5%), palmitoleic (2.8%), and stearic (1.2%); with the remaining percentage being explained by minor fatty acids. Small amounts of lauric acid were detected in only 15 individuals. Significant ethnic and gender differences were observed in the median percentage levels of several fatty acids in serum CE, but, no significant differences were observed in linoleic and linolenic. Whites had significantly (p<.05) higher median percentage levels of myristic (3.0% vs. 2.0%) and dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (1.3% vs. 1.0%)in serum CE than blacks. In contrast, blacks had significantly higher (p<01) median percentage levels of palmitic (9.4% vs. 8.2%) and oleic (19.8% vs. 17.9%) in serum CE than whites. Males had significantly (p<.05) higher median percentage levels of oleic (19.8% vs. 18.1%) in serum CE than females. The combined saturated fat median percentage levels was significantly (p<.05) higher in females (10.2%) than males (10.0%); and in blacks (10.9%) compared to whites (10.0%). The combined monunsaturated fat median percentage levels was significantly (p< 05) higher in males (22.5%) than females (21.0%). The P/S ratio was significantly (p<.05) higher in whites (6.4) than blacks (5.8). These findings suggest ethnic and gender variations in the fatty acid composition of serum CE.