Essential Fatty Acids in Serum Lipids of Young Male Rural Guatemalans and Urban North Americans

Abstract

Serum lipids of young males (20-30 years) from a population with a low prevalence of arterial fibrous plaques (Guatemalans) and those of young males from a population with a high prevalence of fibrous plaques (New Orleanians) were compared. Lipids were analyzed by silicic acid column and gas-liquid chromatography. Total lipids in New Orleanians were higher than in Guatemalans; due mostly to higher serum levels of cholesterol esters in the former group. Serum total esterified linoleic acid was not significantly different in the 2 groups, but serum total esterified arachidonic acid in New Orleanians (21.6 mg/100 ml serum) was twice as high as that of Guatamalans (10.8 mg/100 ml serum). The data support the theory that hyperlipemia can lead to an increase in serum concentration of arachidonic acid with a concomitant deficiency of this compound in arterial tissue.