Erythrocyte membrane fatty acids in patients with multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND: Reports on fatty acids levels in multiple sclerosis remain inconclusive. OBJECTIVE: To determine the erythrocyte membrane fatty acid levels in multiple sclerosis patients and correlate with Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale. METHODS: Fatty acid composition of 31 multiple sclerosis and 30 control individuals were measured by gas chromatography. RESULTS: The membrane phosphatidylcholine C20:4n - 6 concentration was lower in the multiple sclerosis patients when compared to that of the control group, P = 0.04 and it correlated inversely with the EDSS and FSS. CONCLUSION: Decrease in C20:4n - 6 in the erythrocyte membrane could be an indication of depleted plasma stores, and a reflection of disease severity