The etiology of altered blood fatty acid (FA) composition in cystic fibrosis (CF) is understood only partially. We aimed to investigate the determinants of serum glycerophospholipids' FAs in CF with regard to the highest number of FAs and in the largest cohort to date. The study comprised 172 CF patients and 30 healthy subjects (HS). We assessed Fas' profile (gas chromatography/mass spectrometry), CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) genotype, spirometry, fecal elastase-1, body height and weight Z-scores, liver disease, diabetes and colonization by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The amounts of saturated FAs (C14:0, C16:0) and monounsaturated FAs (C16:1n-7, C18:1n-9, C20:1n-9, C20:3n-9) were significantly higher in CF patients than in HS. C18:3n-6, C20:3n-6 and C22:4n-6 levels were also higher in CF, but C18:2n-6, C20:2n-6 and C20:4n-6, as well as C22:6n-3, were lower. In a multiple regression analysis, levels of seven FAs were predicted by various sets of factors that included age, genotype, forced expiratory volume in one second, pancreatic status and diabetes. FA composition abnormalities are highly prevalent in CF patients. They seem to be caused by both metabolic disturbances and independent clinical risk factors. Further research into the influence of CFTR mutations on fat metabolism and desaturases' activity is warranted.
Keywords: arachidonic acid; docosahexaenoic acid; eicosapentaenoic acid; phospholipids; polyunsaturated fatty acid.