Effect of dietary cod-liver oil on the lipid composition of human erythrocyte membranes

Abstract

Popp-Snijders, C., Schouten, J. A. de Jong, A. P. & van der Veen, E. A. Effect of dietary cod-liver oil on the lipid composition of human erythrocyte membranes. The effect of dietary cod-liver oil on factors which characterize membrane lipid fluidity was studied. To six volunteers a daily supplement of 15 ml of cod-liver oil, providing 3g of ω3 fatty acids, was given for 2 weeks. Changes induced by the supplement in the fatty acid patterns of the individual erythrocyte phospholipid classes did not occur at the same rate or in the same degree. A rapid incorporation of ω3 fatty acids in plasma lipids and in erythrocyte phosphatidyl choline, at the expense of linoleic acid, was seen, resulting in increased total unsaturation. A slower and quantitatively smaller incorporation of ω3 fatty acids in erythrocyte phosphatidyl ethanolamine and phosphatidyl serine was seen. No change in the fatty acid pattern of sphingomyelin was seen. Withdrawal of the supplement for 2 weeks did partly reverse the cod-liver oil induced changes in erythrocyte phosphatidyl choline, while the changes in erythrocyte phosphatidyl ethanolamine and phosphatidyl serine lasted. Neither a change in distribution of erythrocyte phospholipid classes, nor in the erythrocyte cholesterol/phospholipid ratio was found. The observed changes in lipid composition are indicative of an increased lipid fluidity.