Stellenbosch University - Scopus Tygerberg Hospital Publications

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Browsing Stellenbosch University - Scopus Tygerberg Hospital Publications by Author "Abel, S."

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    Erythrocyte membrane fatty acids in patients with multiple sclerosis
    (2009) Hon, G. M.; Hassan, M. S.; Van Rensburg, S. J.; Abel, S.; Marais, D. W.; Van Jaarsveld, P.; Smuts, C. M.; Henning, F.; Erasmus, R. T.; Matsha, T.
    Background: Reports on fatty acids levels in multiple sclerosis remain inconclusive. Objective: To determine the erythrocyte membrane fatty acid levels in multiple sclerosis patients and correlate with Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale. Methods: Fatty acid composition of 31 multiple sclerosis and 30 control individuals were measured by gas chromatography. Results: The membrane phosphatidylcholine C20:4 n-6 concentration was lower in the multiple sclerosis patients when compared to that of the control group, P = 0.04 and it correlated inversely with the EDSS and FSS. Conclusion: Decrease in C20:4 n-6 in the erythrocyte membrane could be an indication of depleted plasma stores, and a reflection of disease severity.
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    Immune cell membrane fatty acids and inflammatory marker, C-reactive protein, in patients with multiple sclerosis
    (2009) Hon, G.; Hassan, M.; Van Rensburg, S. J.; Abel, S.; Marais, D. W.; Van Jaarsveld, P.; Smuts, C.; Henning, F.; Erasmus, R.; Matsha, T.
    Measurement of fatty acids in biological fluids and cell membranes including leucocytes from multiple sclerosis patients is inconsistent. The objective of the present study was to investigate the fatty acid composition within the different membrane phospholipid fractions in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in multiple sclerosis patients, and correlate with severity of neurological outcome as measured by the Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale and Functional System Scores. The fatty acid composition of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, sphingomyelin and phosphatidylinositol phospholipids in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of twenty-six multiple sclerosis and twenty-five control subjects were measured by GC, and C-reactive protein was measured in all subjects. The elongation product of 20:4n-6, 22:4n-6, was significantly decreased in membrane phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine in multiple sclerosis patients (P=0.01 and P=0.03 respectively), and correlated inversely with severity of disease and C-reactive protein. Also an inverse correlation was observed between the C-reactive protein and membrane phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine 20:4n-6. Cultural and ethnic differences, as well as dietary variability, especially in a diseased state have been implicated in the differences observed in the fatty acid composition in peripheral blood mononuclear cell membranes of patients with multiple sclerosis. The present results suggest that the disease state may in part explain the reported inconsistencies in fatty acid levels in multiple sclerosis patients.