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Monounsaturated Fatty Acids in Blood Cell Membranes from Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate whether blood cell membrane monounsaturated fatty acids were associated with inflammation and disease outcome in patients with multiple sclerosis. The fatty acid composition in peripheral blood mononuclear cell and red blood cell membranes from 26 patients and 25 controls were determined by gas chromatography. Results showed positive associations between C-reactive protein and C16:1n-7, C18:1n-7, and C24:1n-9 in membranes from controls only. In general, C18:1n-9 and C20:1n-9 showed inverse correlations, while C16:1n-7 and C18:1n-7 showed positive correlations with disease outcome. Multiple sclerosis has a known inflammatory component. There is scarcity of literature on the role of monounsaturated fatty acids in inflammation, but results from this study suggested an association in healthy subjects between monounsaturated fatty acids and C-reactive protein, even at physiologically low levels. This association was not found in the plasma from patients. Furthermore, the n-9 and n-7 fatty acids played different roles in disease outcome, and therefore warrant inclusion, together with polyunsaturated fatty acids when investigating the inflammatory aspects of the disease.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the following: The MS Society, Western Cape Branch, South Africa, sister Treska Botha for the recruitment of patients, and Dr. Marius de Klerk for the measurement of the EDSS and FSS.

Financial Assistance/Grants

This study was funded by grants from the University Research Fund of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa.

Conflicts of Interest

There is no conflict of interest to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Bio-Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Wellness Science, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, P O Box 1906, Bellville, 7530, Cape Town, South Africa

    Gloudina Maria Hon, Mogamat Shafick Hassan & Tandi Matsha

  2. National Health Laboratory Services, Tygerberg Hospital, Tygerberg, South Africa

    Susan Janse van Rensburg

  3. PROMEC Unit and NIRU, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg, South Africa

    Stefan Abel

  4. Division of Chemical Pathology, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg Campus, Tygerberg, South Africa

    Rajiv T. Erasmus

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  1. Gloudina Maria Hon
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  2. Mogamat Shafick Hassan
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  3. Susan Janse van Rensburg
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  4. Stefan Abel
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  5. Rajiv T. Erasmus
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  6. Tandi Matsha
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Correspondence to Tandi Matsha.

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Hon, G.M., Hassan, M.S., van Rensburg, S.J. et al. Monounsaturated Fatty Acids in Blood Cell Membranes from Patients with Multiple Sclerosis. Inflammation 34, 681–687 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10753-010-9279-z

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