Platelet phospholipid n−3 PUFA negatively associated with plasma homocysteine in middle-aged and geriatric hyperlipaemia patients

Studies showed that increased dietary intake of n−3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) has a cardiovascular beneficial effect. Increased plasma phospholipid (PL) docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n−3) is associated with decreased plasma homocysteine (Hcy). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between platelet PL fatty acid and plasma Hcy in middle-aged and geriatric hyperlipaemia patients (50 males, 31 females) and 65 healthy subjects (43 males, 22 females) in Hangzhou, China. Plasma Hcy demonstrated significant positive correlation with adrenic acid (22:4n  −6) (r=0.188r=0.188, P=0.018P=0.018) and negative correlation with 22:6n  −3 (r=–0.277r=–0.277, P=0.001P=0.001) and the ratio of n−3/n  −6 (r=–0.231r=–0.231, P=0.003P=0.003) in sex-, age- and BMI-controlled partial correlation analysis. The present results suggest that increased ratio of n−3/n−6 PUFA in platelet PL is associated with decreased thrombotic risks such as plasma Hcy in middle-aged and geriatric hyperlipaemia patients in Hangzhou.