Circadian time structure of fatty acids and vascular monitoring

SummaryThe circadian variation of 40 circulating fatty acids related variables was assessed from one man (F) and one woman (G). Each provided blood samples by finger pricking at about 4-hour intervals for 24 hours. A statistically significant rhythm was found in 65% of the variables after data expressed as a percentage of their 24-hour mean values were pooled. In particular, a putative circadian rhythm for n-3 and n-6 fatty acids deserves exploration. The predominant 12-hour component found to characterize the n-3 status of G may stem from the odd schedule she followed on the day of study, as attested by alterations in the time structure of her blood pressure on the day of study, as compared to similarly collected data on 33 other Sundays in 2009 available as control information. Circadian vascular characteristics are sensitive markers of loads, including the rest-activity schedule.