Influence of dietary fish on fatty acid composition of the erythrocyte membrane in coronary heart disease patients.

This study examines the effects of dietary fish oil on the fatty acid composition of the erythrocyte membrane in persons with coronary heart disease. Thirty men with myocardial infarction were studied during three consecutive periods, during which they consumed 1) their habitual diet, 2) a diet specially designed to prevent ischaemic cardiopathy, and 3) a diet rich in polyunsaturated fat, in which fish was substituted for meat. At the end of each diet, fatty acid concentrations in the erythrocyte membrane were measured, and a 48 h recall dietary questionnaire was used to determine the types of foods consumed. Despite the increase in the intake of (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), the fatty acid composition of the erythrocyte membrane failed to reflect the greater dietary supply of eicosapentaenoic acid, and showed increased concentrations of stearic (C16) and palmitic (C18) acid. The increase in dietary (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids markedly increased 22:4 (n-6), 22:5 (n-6), 22:5 (n-3) and 22:6 (n-3) fatty acids.