Analysis of major fatty acids from matched plasma and serum samples reveals highly comparable absolute and relative levels

Connor D C Buchanan; Cody A C Lust; Jessie L Burns; Lyn M Hillyer; Sean A Martin; Gary A Wittert; David W L Ma

doi:10.1016/j.plefa.2021.102268

Analysis of major fatty acids from matched plasma and serum samples reveals highly comparable absolute and relative levels

Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2021 May:168:102268. doi: 10.1016/j.plefa.2021.102268. Epub 2021 Mar 31.

Authors

Connor D C Buchanan¹, Cody A C Lust², Jessie L Burns², Lyn M Hillyer², Sean A Martin³, Gary A Wittert³, David W L Ma⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Kinesiology, University of Guelph-Humber, Toronto, ON, M9W 5L7, Canada.
² Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G2W1, Canada.
³ Freemasons Centre for Male Health and Wellness, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia.
⁴ Department of Kinesiology, University of Guelph-Humber, Toronto, ON, M9W 5L7, Canada; Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G2W1, Canada. Electronic address: davidma@uoguelph.ca.

PMID: 33831721
DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2021.102268

Abstract

Measuring fatty acid (FA) levels in blood as a risk factor for chronic disease has been studied extensively. Previous research has used either plasma or serum samples to examine these associations. However, whether results from plasma and serum samples can be compared remains unclear, as differences in methodology related to the separation of plasma and serum from whole blood may impact FA levels. This study analyzed the individual FA content of matched plasma and serum samples in both absolute (μg/mL) and relative percent (%) composition. Analyses were performed using archived fasted morning samples from the Florey Adelaide Male Ageing Study (FAMAS). Matched plasma and serum samples were available from 98 male subjects aged 40-85. Total FA were analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography equipped with a flame ionization detector (GLC-FID). Analyses comprised of over 60 FA including major FA such as Palmitic Acid (PA), Palmitoleic acid (POA), Stearic Acid (SA), Oleic Acid (OA), Linoleic Acid (LNA), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), Arachidonic Acid (ARA), and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Differences between groups was determined by t-test. Correlation and Bland-Altman analyses were also performed to examine the relationship between plasma and serum samples. There were no significant differences between major plasma and serum fatty acids expressed in μg/mL and relative % composition. Correlation analysis determined a strong and significantly positive association (r ≥ 0.65, p < 0.05) between major plasma and serum FA in absolute and relative terms. Bland-Altman analysis further supported the strong agreement between plasma and serum values in both absolute and relative terms. These findings demonstrate that studies reporting plasma or serum fatty acid analyzed by GLC-FID can be compared with one another.

Keywords: Gas liquid chromatography- flame ionization detector; Monounsaturated fatty acids; Polyunsaturated fatty acids; Saturated fatty acid; Total plasma fatty acids; Total serum fatty acids.

Publication types

Comparative Study
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Biological Assay / methods
Fatty Acids / blood*
Humans
Male
Middle Aged

Substances

Fatty Acids

Grants and funding

PJT-156109/CIHR/Canada