June 2015
Volume 56, Issue 7
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   June 2015
Correlation of LC-PUFAs in serum with VLC-PUFAs and n3/n6 VLC-PUFA ratios in human donor retinas
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • Aruna Gorusupudi
    Dept of Opthamology and Visual Sci, Moran Eye Center, Salt Lake City, UT
  • Gregory S Hageman
    Dept of Opthamology and Visual Sci, Moran Eye Center, Salt Lake City, UT
  • Paul S Bernstein
    Dept of Opthamology and Visual Sci, Moran Eye Center, Salt Lake City, UT
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships Aruna Gorusupudi, None; Gregory Hageman, None; Paul Bernstein, None
  • Footnotes
    Support None
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science June 2015, Vol.56, 24. doi:
  • Views
  • Share
  • Tools
    • Alerts
      ×
      This feature is available to authenticated users only.
      Sign In or Create an Account ×
    • Get Citation

      Aruna Gorusupudi, Gregory S Hageman, Paul S Bernstein; Correlation of LC-PUFAs in serum with VLC-PUFAs and n3/n6 VLC-PUFA ratios in human donor retinas. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2015;56(7 ):24.

      Download citation file:


      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

      ×
  • Supplements
Abstract

Purpose: Recently, it has been shown that a new class of non-dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (C>26), the very long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (VLC-PUFAs), are specifically present in vertebrate retina. Deficiency of VLC-PUFAs in retina may be a key factor in macular pathology of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and dominant Stargardt disease (STGD3). We hypothesize that the n3/n6 LC-PUFA ratios which act as biomarkers in obesity, diabetes and various inflammatory and oxidative stress related disorders such as AMD could influence retinal n3/n6 VLC-PUFA ratios and VLC-PUFA levels. In the present study, serum LC-PUFA levels and n3/n6 LC-PUFA ratios are compared with retinal VLC-PUFA levels and n3/n6 VLC-PUFA ratios of AMD subjects and age-matched control subjects.

Methods: Human donor eyes (16 AMD and 24 age-matched control subjects) were collected from the Utah Lions Eye Bank, and 6 mm peripheral retinal punches were used for VLC-PUFA analysis. Fatty acid methyl esters were extracted using a standardized method and analyzed by GC-MS (electron ionization mode). Two methods (A and B) were adopted; method A was used to analyze the LC-PUFAs, while method B was used to analyze C24- C36 VLC-PUFAs.

Results: The levels of LC-PUFAs in serum are in correlation with retinal VLC-PUFAs in AMD subjects (r=0.44, p=0.10) and in age-matched controls (r=0.41, p=0.05). The n3/n6 ratios of LC-PUFA in serum are in correlation with retinal n3/n6 ratios of VLC-PUFA in AMD subjects (r=0.67, p=0.01) and in age-matched controls (r=0.57, p=0.003). The n3/n6 ratios of VLC-PUFA precursors in serum are in significant correlation with the n3/n6 VLC-PUFA ratios in retina of AMD subjects (r=0.55, p=0.04) and age-matched control subjects (r=0.44, p=0.05). The levels of VLC-PUFAs in AMD patients are comparatively lower than the levels in age-matched control patients (0.61% ± 0.11, p=0.006 versus 1.01% ± 0.07, p=0.01).

Conclusions: Our findings confirm a deficiency of VLC-PUFAs in AMD eyes. The n3/n6 LC-PUFA ratios in serum serve as biomarkers to predict the n3/n6 VLC-PUFA ratios in AMD subjects and also in age-matched control subjects. Diet plays an important role in altering the levels of n3/n6 LC-PUFA ratios in blood which in turn influence the n3/n6 VLC-PUFA ratios and levels in retina with possible benefical macular on macular physiology and protection against degeneration.

×
×

This PDF is available to Subscribers Only

Sign in or purchase a subscription to access this content. ×

You must be signed into an individual account to use this feature.

×