Obese type 2 diabetics and obese patients have comparable plasma phospholipid fatty acid compositions deviating from that of healthy individuals.

There exist controversial reports regarding the differences in phospholipid fatty acids in type 2 diabetic and obese patients as compared to controls. The study was aimed at assessing the combined effect of type 2 diabetes and obesity on the fatty acid composition of plasma phospholipids. The experimental group consisted of 23 Belgian obese type 2 diabetics on Metformin. Two control groups were used: healthy lean and obese individuals in the same BMI range as the diabetics. Plasma phospholipids were isolated and their fatty acids and vinyl ether moieties were determined. Significance was set at P < 0.01. Plasma phospholipid fatty acids and plasmalogen-derived dimethyl acetals in diabetics deviated in many respects from these of lean controls but were not significantly different from those of obese non-diabetic patients. Therefore, the deviations of the fatty acid pattern of plasma phospholipids in type 2 diabetes may be attributed to obesity rather than to diabetes itself.