BACKGROUND: Free fatty acids (FFAs) play important roles in health and disease. We investigated the distributions of nine plasma FFAs in a population of Chinese adults. METHOD: Three hundred and ninety-nine healthy individuals aged 18-104 years were divided into 4 groups: 18-39 years; 40-59 years; 60-79 years; and 80-104 years. Nine plasma FFAs, including C12:0, C14:0, C16:0, C16:1, C18:0, C18:1 C18:2, C20:4 and C20:5 were determined using a validated HPLC method. RESULTS: There were significant differences among the 4 age groups in the plasma total FFA (TFA), saturated fatty acid (SFA), unsaturated fatty acid (UFA), and eight specific FFA concentrations, and the ratios of SFA to UFA, SFA to TFA, and UFA to TFA as well (all P<0.05), except for FFA C16:1. However, no significant difference was found between males and females. The 4 most abundant FFAs, C16:0, C18:0, C18:1 and C18:2 account for >90% of plasma total FFA. Reference intervals for individual FFAs are set at the 10th-90th percentile. CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences in eight specific plasma FFAs among various age groups were found in a population of Chinese adults. C16:0, C18:0, C18:1 and C18:2 are the most abundant FFAs in the fasting plasma. Reference intervals are established for the local Chinese community.
BACKGROUND:Free fatty acids (FFAs) play important roles in health and disease. We investigated the distributions of nine plasma FFAs in a population of Chinese adults. METHOD: Three hundred and ninety-nine healthy individuals aged 18-104 years were divided into 4 groups: 18-39 years; 40-59 years; 60-79 years; and 80-104 years. Nine plasma FFAs, including C12:0, C14:0, C16:0, C16:1, C18:0, C18:1 C18:2, C20:4 and C20:5 were determined using a validated HPLC method. RESULTS: There were significant differences among the 4 age groups in the plasma total FFA (TFA), saturated fatty acid (SFA), unsaturated fatty acid (UFA), and eight specific FFA concentrations, and the ratios of SFA to UFA, SFA to TFA, and UFA to TFA as well (all P<0.05), except for FFA C16:1. However, no significant difference was found between males and females. The 4 most abundant FFAs, C16:0, C18:0, C18:1 and C18:2 account for >90% of plasma total FFA. Reference intervals for individual FFAs are set at the 10th-90th percentile. CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences in eight specific plasma FFAs among various age groups were found in a population of Chinese adults. C16:0, C18:0, C18:1 and C18:2 are the most abundant FFAs in the fasting plasma. Reference intervals are established for the local Chinese community.