Abnormal fatty acid pattern in intestinal mucosa of children with celiac disease is not reflected in serum phospholipids.

OBJECTIVE: Celiac disease (CD) is characterized by chronic inflammation of the small intestinal mucosa with disturbed epithelial transport. The fatty acid (FA) composition of intestinal membranes is important for epithelial function, and disturbances may contribute to the pathophysiology of the disease. We aimed to evaluate whether the intestinal mucosal FA status was reflected in serum phospholipids of patients with CD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Samples were obtained from 7 pediatric patients with active CD showing mucosal atrophy, 6 pediatric patients with CD in remission, and 11 control pediatric patients with morphologically healthy intestinal mucosa. Small intestinal biopsies were obtained using a Watson biopsy capsule under fluoroscopic control. Blood samples were collected on the same morning after an overnight fast. Tissue phospholipids were isolated by high-performance liquid chromatography, and FAs were analyzed by capillary gas-liquid chromatography.
RESULTS: Serum phospholipid FA showed marginal differences between the patients with CD and the controls. Significant differences were observed in mucosa with active CD compared with controls. Linoleic acid (18:2n-6) level was decreased, whereas those of its derivatives were elevated, indicating increased transformation of n-6 FA. Mead acid (20:3n-9) level was increased, with an increased ratio of Mead acid to arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) levels, suggesting essential fatty acid deficiency. The n-3 FA levels were not significantly changed. During remission, the FA pattern of the intestinal mucosa was mainly similar to that in controls.
CONCLUSIONS: The FA abnormality of intestinal mucosa in patients with active CD was not reflected in serum values. Altered FA content may contribute to the pathophysiology of the disease because FAs are important for enzymes and for the transport and receptor functions of epithelial membranes.