Abstract
In alcoholic liver disease patients, characteristic changes in erythrocyte membrane lipid composition are reported. Membrane cholesterol and cholesterol/phospholipid molar ratio are increased compared to controls.
Distribution of palmitic acid (C16:0 saturated) and polyunsaturated linoleic (C18:2 n-6) and arachidonic acid (C20:4 n-6) in the membrane phospholipids is abnormal in alcoholic liver disease. Furthermore positive correlations between this abnormal fatty acid distribution and red cell filterability is found.
We conclude that membrane filterability could be. influenced either by cholesterol content or the lenght and degree of unsaturation or its fatty acid composition.
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