Change of plasmalogen content of red blood cells in myocardial hypoxia and acidosis.

BACKGROUND: The contribution of hypoxic conditions to the chemical composition of membranes is not completely established. Plasmalogens, containing an alkenyl group with aldehydogenic ether linkage, are significant components of membrane lipids and their level can change in oxygen deficiency.

METHODS: Analysis of plasmalogens in red blood cells was performed in patients (n = 17) with coronary heart disease, stable angina (functional class II-III) and coronary atherosclerosis. The control group consisted of 17 healthy volunteers. In addition, isolated blood samples of seven healthy volunteers were analysed before and after 180 min incubation at 37 °C. Fatty acid ethyl esters and diethyl acetals of fatty aldehydes, obtained during sample preparation from red blood cells, were analysed by capillary gas-liquid chromatography. Quantitative assessment of the change of the plasmalogen levels was evaluated as change of the share of fatty aldehyde diethyl acetals in the total sum of fatty aldehyde diethyl acetals and fatty acid ethyl esters.

RESULTS: In comparison with the healthy volunteers, an increase in plasmalogen content of red blood cells and a reduction of the pH of the blood plasma in the group of patients with coronary heart disease were detected. In experimental hypoxia, there was an increase in the plasmalogen content of the red blood cells and a plasma pH decrease in all samples subjected to the incubation.

CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate changes in the physicochemical properties of the cell membrane in hypoxia. One of the most likely reasons of the increase of plasmalogen content in the membranes may be a more significant increase in activity of calcium-dependent phospholipases in comparison with the activity of calcium-independent plasmalogen phospholipases.