Erythrocyte phospholipid fatty acid fluctuations in patients with beta-thalassemia minor.

The result of an analysis of red cell individual phospho-lipid fatty acids are presented in patients suffering from beta-thalassemia minor. A significant decrease of each of the following sphingomyelin fatty acids was found: 16:0, 18:1, 18:2, 22:0, 24:0. Phosphatidylcholine fatty acids showed an increase of 16:0, 18:2, 22:0, and 22:1 and a decrease of 18:0 and 20:4. Changes of phosphatidylserine fatty acids, an increase of 14:0, 16:0, 18:0, 18:2, and 22:1, and a decrease of 20:4, 24:0, and 24:1, were observed. An increase of 14:0, 16:0 and a decrease of 18:1, 20:4, and 24:1 phosphatidylethanolamine fatty acids were found. The considerable changes observed in individual phospholipid fatty acids, especially long chain unsaturated ones and primarily arachidonic acid (20:4), indicate a tendency for red cell peroxidation and thus an increased predisposition to hemolysis.