Plasma long chain fatty acids and esterified lipids in cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy
Wilcox, H.G.; Dunn, G.D.; Schenker, S.
American Journal of the Medical Sciences 276(3): 293-303
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9629 PMID: 742637 Document Number: 125922
Patients with cirrhosis had higher plasma long-chain fatty acid (LCFA) and venous ammonia values than controls; values increased with severity of the disease. Blood ammonia was significantly more in patients with hepatic encephalopathy while LCFA was comparable in the noncomatose and comatose patients. In patients with cirrhosis, with or without coma, plasma LCFA was not correlated significantly with venous ammonia. In cirrhotics, plasma phospholipids and cholesteryl esters were significantly depressed, whereas triglycerides were normal. The abnormal plasma lipid pattern worsened with severity of cirrhosis but was not correlated with encephalopathy. The distribution pattern of LCFA in most plasma lipids in cirrhosis varied significantly from normal in that the percentages of 18:2 (linoleate) and 20:4 (arachidonate) were less and those of 16:1 (palmitoleate), 18:1 (oleate) and 16:0 (palmitate) were more.