Raffaele Marfella
Italy
Research Article
Morbid Obesity is Associated to Altered Fatty Acid Profile of Erythrocyte Membranes
Author(s): Gianmattia del Genio, Carla Ferreri, Raffaele Marfella, Dimitri Pournaras, Carel W le Roux, Federica del Genio, Limongelli Paolo, Salvatore Tolone, Ludovico Docimo and Annibale Alessandro PucaGianmattia del Genio, Carla Ferreri, Raffaele Marfella, Dimitri Pournaras, Carel W le Roux, Federica del Genio, Limongelli Paolo, Salvatore Tolone, Ludovico Docimo and Annibale Alessandro Puca
Background: Morbid obesity is a pathologic condition associated to an increased incidence of several chronic conditions associated to increased risk of mortality. Erythrocyte fatty acid composition has been candidate as a biomarker of oxidative stress and consequently on the rate of aging and ultimately lifespan. To our knowledge, no study has investigated the total spectrum of lipid composition of erythrocyte membranes from obese individuals. The aim of this study was to compare the fatty acid composition of erythrocyte membranes derived from morbidly obese patients with healthy matched controls and long-living descendants. Methods: Gas chromatography was employed to determine fatty acid percentage of erythrocyte membranes from investigated groups. Results: Erythrocyte membranes from obese subjects had significantly lower percentage of monounsaturated fatty acids (16.0 ± 0.8 v.. View More»
