Erythrocyte fatty acid aberrations in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Correlation with disease duration

Abstract

Background: Recent literature data highlights metabolic changes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). To explore possible early metabolic changes, we aimed to analyse the fatty acids (FA) composition of erythrocytes in newly diagnosed als patients and to see whether fatty acid levels correlate with the ALSFRS-R score or disease duration. Methods: The severity of motor function involvement was assessed by the ALSFRS-R scale at the initial evaluation. The fatty acid profile of erythrocyte membranes was analysed by gas-liquid chromatography. The study comprised 26 clinically diagnosed als patients, with mean ALSFRS-R 38±8. The control group included 26 healthy volunteers. Results: Significantly higher levels of palmitic acid and total saturated FAs were detected in als patients. In als patients, total monounsaturated FA, palmitoleic, vaccenic, and oleic acid were also significantly increased. The levels of eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, total polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) and n-6 PUFA were significantly lower in als patients. Additionally, a-linolenic acid, the precursor of the n-3 PUFA family, was not detected in als patients. We found no significant correlation between the ALSFRS-R score and the abundance of individual FAs analysed. A moderate negative correlation was found between disease duration and DHA level, and a positive correlation was detected with MUFA. Conclusion: Experimental evidence presented may contribute to shaping a beneficial nutritional intervention.