Phase angle correlates with n-3 fatty acids and cholesterol in red cells of Nigerian children with sickle cell disease

Dorothy J Vanderjagt,Miguel R Trujillo,Robert H Glew,Lu-Te Chuang,Yung-Sheng Huang,Fidelia Bode-Thomas

doi:10.1186/1476-511x-2-2

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine the cholesterol content and fatty acid composition of red cell membrane phospholipids (PL) of children with sickle cell disease (SCD) and to correlate these levels with whole body phase angle that is related to the integrity and function of cell membranes.Study designBlood samples were obtained from 69 children with SCD and 72 healthy age- and gender-matched controls in Nigeria for the determination of the cholesterol content and proportions of fatty acids in red cell PL. Bioelectrical impedance analysis was used to obtain resistance (R) and reactance (Xc) from which phase angle was calculated as arctan Xc/R. Cholesterol (normalized to lipid phosphorus) and the proportions of individual fatty acids were correlated with phase angle.ResultsThe proportions of palmitic (p < 0.001), stearic acid (p = 0.003) and cholesterol (p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the red cells of children with SCD, whereas the proportions of arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid were reduced (p = 0.03 and < 0.001, respectively) compared to controls. The phase angle was inversely correlated with the proportions of palmitic acid (p = 0.03) and oleic acid (p < 0.001) and cholesterol (p = 0.003). Three n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids-eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid- were positively correlated with phase angle (p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe fatty acid composition and cholesterol content of tissue membranes in SCD correlate with the phase shift measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Phase angle measurements may provide a non-invasive method for monitoring interventions aimed at altering the lipid composition of membranes.

Highlights

Introduction order in African and AfricanAmerican populations and it Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common genetic dis- is associated with increased morbidity and mortality inLipids in Health and Disease 2003, 2 http://www.Lipidworld.com/content/2/1/2 affected individuals [1]
The fatty acid composition and cholesterol content of tissue membranes in SCD correlate with the phase shift measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis
In a previous study of the fatty acid composition of the serum phospholipids of children with SCD and healthy controls that we conducted in Nigeria [8], we found that the serum phospholipids of SCD patients and controls had comparable levels of linoleic and α-linolenic acid

Summary

Introduction

Introduction order in African and AfricanAmerican populations and it Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common genetic dis- is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in (page number not for citation purposes)Lipids in Health and Disease 2003, 2 http://www.Lipidworld.com/content/2/1/2 affected individuals [1]. American populations and it Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common genetic dis- is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in (page number not for citation purposes). Children with SCD exhibit impaired growth [2,3,4] as well as delayed skeletal and sexual maturation [5]. In a previous study of the fatty acid composition of the serum phospholipids of children with SCD and healthy controls that we conducted in Nigeria [8], we found that the serum phospholipids of SCD patients and controls had comparable levels of linoleic and α-linolenic acid. Similar alterations in the serum total phospholipid composition of children with SCD have been reported by others [9]

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Conclusion