Plasma fatty acids profile and estimated elongase and desaturases activities in Tunisian patients with the metabolic syndrome

This study aimed to determine plasma fatty acids pattern and to estimate desaturases activities in Tunisian subjects with metabolic syndrome (MetS). A total of 1975 adults were randomly selected from the Great Tunis region (Tunisia). MetS was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria. Saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids levels and delta 9 desaturase activity were increased, but polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) levels and delta 5 desaturase activity were decreased in patients with MetS. Using multivariate analysis, MetS was found inversely associated with PUFA; compared to first quartile, multi-adjusted odd ratios (95% confidence interval) of MetS were 0.80 (0.54–1.17), 0.47 (0.27–0.81) and 0.32 (0.15–0.68) for second, third and fourth quartiles of PUFA, respectively. Altered fatty acids pattern in MetS is likely related to both dietary and metabolic changes.

► MetS is very common in the Great Tunis population, involving more than the third of subjects.
► Plasma fatty acids pattern in MetS is characterized by increased SAFA and MUFA and reduced PUFA.
► SAFA, MUFA and D9D tend to increase but PUFA and D5D tend to decrease with the number of MetS traits.