Fatty Acid Profile of Plasma Lipid Classes in Coronary Heart Disease, in Primary Hyperlipoproteinemias, and in Healthy Subjects

The plasma fatty acid composition of the cholesteryl esters triglycerides, and total phospholipid was studied by gas–liquid chromatography in clinically healthy subjects and coronary patients; all of whom had had a recent selective coronary arteriography. The fatty acid composition of the same lipid classes mentioned above was investigated in the different types of hyperlipoproteinemia. All the subjects or patients investigated were on a regular diet. The fatty acid patterns in the various lipid classes were found the same in coronary patients and in healthy subjects. However, great differences were noted in the fatty acid profiles in the various types of hyperlipoproteinemia. Noteworthy was the fact that type II (especially type IIa) contained the greatest proportion of linoleic acid in all lipid classes. This study indicated again biochemical heterogeneity within types of primary hyperlipoproteinemias and also between types IIa and IIb.