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Perturbations in Blood Phosphatidylcholine and Sphingomyelin Fatty Acid Composition in a Sample Population of Cigarette Smokers

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Abstract

Docosahexaenoic (DHA) and arachidonic acids (AA) are polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), major components of brain tissue and neural systems, and the precursors of a number of biologically active metabolites with functions in inflammation resolution, neuroprotection and other actions. As PUFAs are highly susceptible to peroxidation, we hypothesised whether cigarette smokers would present altered PUFAs levels in plasma and erythrocyte phospholipids. Adult males from Indian, Sri-Lankan or Bangladeshi genetic backgrounds who reported smoking between 20 and 60 cigarettes per week were recruited. The control group consisted of matched non-smokers. A blood sample was taken, plasma and erythrocyte total lipids were extracted, phospholipids were separated by thin layer chromatography, and the fatty acid content analysed by gas chromatography. In smokers, dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid, the AA precursor, was significantly reduced in plasma and erythrocyte phosphatidylcholine. AA and DHA were significantly reduced in erythrocyte sphingomyelin. Relatively short term smoking has affected the fatty acid composition of plasma and erythrocyte phospholipids with functions in neural tissue composition, cell signalling, cell growth, intracellular trafficking, neuroprotection and inflammation, in a relatively young population. As lipid peroxidation is pivotal in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer disease, early effects of smoking may be relevant for the development of such conditions.

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Acknowledgments

Prof. K. Ghebremeskel obtained the ethical approval. The authors are grateful to Mr. O. Erkerk, Mr. A. Bhullar, Ms. S. Eram and Dr. Y. Wang for expert technical assistance; to Dr. A. Searle and Prof. M. Crawford for guidance and support. The authors are grateful to the volunteers who participated in this study. This research was conducted at the Faculty of Life Sciences, London Metropolitan University, which funded part of this research. AAB received remuneration from the Mother and Child Foundation, to whom we are also grateful for the use of the equipment and some consumables purchased by the Foundation.

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The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Life Sciences, London Metropolitan University, 166-220 Holloway Road, London, N7 8DB, UK

    Nicoleta Ionescu & Caterina de Freitas

  2. Institute of Science and the Environment, University of Worcester, Henwick Grove, Worcester, WR2 6AJ, England, UK

    Allain A. Bueno

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  1. Nicoleta Ionescu
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  2. Caterina de Freitas
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  3. Allain A. Bueno
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Correspondence to Allain A. Bueno.

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Ionescu, N., de Freitas, C. & Bueno, A.A. Perturbations in Blood Phosphatidylcholine and Sphingomyelin Fatty Acid Composition in a Sample Population of Cigarette Smokers. Ind J Clin Biochem 28, 361–367 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12291-013-0327-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12291-013-0327-y

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