Abstract
Extracted lipids from erythrocyte membranes were analyzed by gas chromatographic mass spectrometry.Hydroxy stearic acid and hydroxy lignoceric acid were not detected in healthy subjects but were present in diabetic patients, using ion chromatography.Findings were confirmed by mass spectrometry.These analytical findings suggest that 1) peroxidation of poly-unsaturated fatty acids occurs due to the suppression of superoxide dismutase activity in diabetic erythrocytes, 2) from a physiochemical point of view, these hydroxy fatty acids might be associated with reduced fluidity of the erythrocyte membranes in diabetics, and 3) ion chromatography is useful for detecting hydroxy fatty acids of erythrocyte membranes.
