Feedback: Recently, it has been discovered that a disturbed polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio predisposes to inflammation and increases the risk of autoimmune disease. The assessment of polyunsaturated fatty acids in RBC cell membranes is an accurate method that reflects their actual level without being influenced by daily diet.
Objectives: To determine the levels of various polyunsaturated fatty acids in erythrocyte membranes in the Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) cohort group versus the control group. In addition, to study the relation between their levels and activity as well as seropositivity.
Results: When compared to a healthy control group, there was a significant rise in the erythrocytes cell membrane n-6 level and the n-6/n-3 ratio in RA patients. In RA patients, n-3 levels were significantly lower than in the control group. In individuals with rheumatoid arthritis, ESR levels were positively correlated with n-6 levels, while ESR levels were negatively correlated with n-3 levels. (docosahexaenoic acid and docosapentaenoic acid). The only polyunsaturated fatty acid parameter with a significant positive relationship to DAS28 –ESR and HAQ appeared to be the n-6/n-3 ratio. There was no correlation between both anti-CCP and RF antibodies and n-6, n-3 fatty acids, or n-6/n-3 ratio.
Conclusion: RBC membranes in RA had low levels of n-3 and high levels of n-6, which significantly differ from the control group. N-3, n-6 and n-6/n-3 fatty acids had insignificant links with both RF and anti CCP antibodies.