Comparison of Fatty Acid Contents of Erythrocyte Membrane in Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

Abstract

Objective: Membrane fatty acid composition plays an important role in the cellular function. Erythrocyte fatty acid composition mirrors that of myocardium and is influenced by diet. Earlier studies have shown significant alterations of membrane fatty acid composition in ethnically mixed patients with end-stage renal disease. Given the impact of ethnic and dietary factors, we sought to examine membrane fatty acid composition in an ethnically homogeneous end-stage renal disease population residing in a coastal region of Korea with high fish consumption.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Outpatient facility at Dong-A University Hospital, Busan, Republic of Korea.

Patients: We recruited 15 stable hemodialysis patients, 14 peritoneal dialysis patients, and 10 age- and gender-matched normal controls. Patients with significant malnutrition, short duration of dialysis, recent infection, malignancy, or liver disease were excluded. Dietary intake and use of omega-3 fatty acid supplements were determined.

Main Outcome Measure: Erythrocyte membrane fatty acid contents measured by gas chromatography.

Results: Palmitoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid levels were lower, whereas oleic acid, linoleic acid, and arachidonic acid levels were higher in patients with end-stage renal disease compared with the control group. Total mono-unsaturated fatty acids (palmitoleic acid and oleic acid) were significantly higher in peritoneal dialysis than in hemodialysis patients. Eicosapentaenoic acid and omega-3 docosapentaenoic acid were significantly higher, but total omega-6 fatty acids, omega-6/omega-3, and arachidonic acid/eicosapentaenoic acid ratios were significantly lower in hemodialysis patients consuming omega-3 supplements compared with those who did not.

Conclusion: Patients with end-stage renal disease exhibited significant alterations in erythrocyte membrane fatty acids, which were partially modified by the dialysis modality and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation.