Analysis of major fatty acids from matched plasma and serum samples reveals highly comparable absolute and relative levels. (May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Buchanan, Connor D.C.; Lust, Cody A.C.; Burns, Jessie L.; Hillyer, Lyn M.; Martin, Sean A.; Wittert, Gary A.; Ma, David W.L.
• Is Part Of: Prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and essential fatty acids. Volume 168(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-05
• Subjects: Total plasma fatty acids -- Total serum fatty acids -- Saturated fatty acid -- Monounsaturated fatty acids -- Polyunsaturated fatty acids -- Gas liquid chromatography- flame ionization detector; Lipids -- Periodicals; Unsaturated fatty acids -- Periodicals; Prostaglandins -- Periodicals; Leukotrienes -- Periodicals; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated -- Periodicals; Acides gras insaturés -- Périodiques; Prostaglandines -- Périodiques; Leucotriènes -- Périodiques; Lipides -- Périodiques; 612.01577
• DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2021.102268
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0952-3278

Abstract

Highlights: Total fatty acid analysis from plasma and serum by gas liquid chromatography with flame ionization detector (GLC-FID) revealed no significant differences, low bias and high level of agreement in major fatty acids such as palmitic, palmitoleic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, alpha-linolenic, arachidonic, eicosapentaenoic, and docosahexaenoic acids; in both absolute concentration (ug/ml) and relative percentage composition (%) terms. These findings demonstrate that past studies that have reported major fatty acid results from plasma or serum are comparable. Our findings also provide lipid analysts greater flexibility in the selection of plasma or serum in tandem with other clinical measures of interest that have an absolute requirement for plasma or serum. Abstract: Measuring fatty acid (FA) levels in blood as a risk factor for chronic disease has been studied extensively. Previous research has used either plasma or serum samples to examine these associations. However, whether results from plasma and serum samples can be compared remains unclear, as differences in methodology related to the separation of plasma and serum from whole blood may impact FA levels. This study analyzed the individual FA content of matched plasma and serum samples in both absolute (μg/mL) and relative percent (%) composition. Analyses were performed using archived fasted morning samples from the Florey Adelaide Male Ageing Study (FAMAS). Matched plasma and serum samples were available from 98 male subjects aged 40–85. Total FA were analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography equipped with a flame ionization detector (GLC-FID). Analyses comprised of over 60 FA including major FA such as Palmitic Acid (PA), Palmitoleic acid (POA), Stearic Acid (SA), Oleic Acid (OA), Linoleic Acid (LNA), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), Arachidonic Acid (ARA), and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Differences between groups was determined by t -test. Correlation and Bland-Altman analyses were also performed to examine the relationship between plasma and serum samples. There were no significant differences between major plasma and serum fatty acids expressed in μg/mL and relative % composition. Correlation analysis determined a strong and significantly positive association ( r ≥ 0.65, p < 0.05) between major plasma and serum FA in absolute and relative terms. Bland-Altman analysis further supported the strong agreement between plasma and serum values in both absolute and relative terms. These findings demonstrate that studies reporting plasma or serum fatty acid analyzed by GLC-FID can be compared with one another.