OBJECTIVE
To determine the content and role of saturated fatty acids (SFA) in lipid metabolism disorder in patients with alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS).
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A total of 123 men were examined: 44 patients with ADS and 79 healthy people. The patients were examined on the 5—6 day after admission to the hospital. The content of saturated fatty acids (SFA) (caproic, caprylic, capric, undecyl, lauric, tridecane, myristic, pentadecanoic, palmitic, margarine, stearic, arachin, eicosanoic, behenic) was determined by gas-liquid chromatography. Quantitative calculation of SFA levels was carried out by the AgilentChemStationB.03.01 program (USA). The ratio of stearic to palmitic acid (C18:0/C16:0) was calculated. The study of the enzymatic activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) was carried out by generally accepted standardized methods on a Cobas Mirra automated analyzer.
RESULTS
In ADS patients, changes in the composition of SFA were found with an increase in the number of short-chain fatty acids (caproic acid by 52.2%, caprylic acid by 75.5%); medium-chain acids (capric acid by 47.9%, undecyl acid by 74.7%, lauric acid), but with a decrease in the concentration of long-chain acids (pentadecanoic by 5.1%, margarine by 34.7%, arachinic by 19.58%, eicosanoic by 26.6%, behenic by 5.1%). Less correlations between the fatty acid content and the parameters of the lipid transport system of blood serum were established in ADS patients compared to the controls. This indicates deep disorders of lipid metabolism.
CONCLUSION
The results expand the understanding of the complex mechanisms of lipid metabolism disorders in ASD, which is important for secondary prevention. They also substantiate the need for a purposeful study of lipid metabolism disorders in patients with ADS at an earlier stage of the disease.