Use of the conjugated polyene fatty acid, parinaric acid, in assaying fatty acids in serum or plasma
Berde, C.B.; Kerner, J.A.; Johnson, J.D.
Clinical Chemistry 26(8): 1173-1177
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0009-9147 PMID: 7389088 Document Number: 162938
We describe a method for rapidly assaying fatty acid concentrations in plasma or serum. This method is particularly appropriate for monitoring increased concentrations of fatty acids that may be present during intravenous lipid infusion, especially in neonates. Binding cisparinaric acid (9, 11, 13, 15-cis-trans-trans-cis-octadecatetraenoic acid) to albumin shifts the absorption spectrum of the acid. If fatty acids are present in serum, they will compete with parinaric acid for binding, changing the extent of this absorption shift. The measurement requires a spectrophotometer, 30 microL of serum or plasma, and knowledge of the sample's albumin concentration.