Altered erythrocyte membrane fatty acid profile in typical Rett syndrome: Effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation

This study mainly aims at examining the erythrocyte membrane fatty acid (FAs) profile in Rett syndrome (RTT), a genetically determined neurodevelopmental disease. Early reports suggest a beneficial effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 PUFAs) on disease severity in RTT. A total of 24 RTT patients were assigned to omega-3 PUFAs-containing fish oil for 12 months in a randomized controlled study (average DHA and EPA doses of 72.9, and 117.1 mg/kg b.w./day, respectively). A distinctly altered FAs profile was detectable in RTT, with deficient omega-6 PUFAs, increased saturated FAs and reduced trans 20:4 FAs. FAs changes were found to be related to redox imbalance, subclinical inflammation, and decreased bone density. Supplementation with omega-3 PUFAs led to improved omega-6/omega-3 ratio and serum plasma lipid profile, decreased PUFAs peroxidation end-products, normalization of biochemical markers of inflammation, and reduction of bone hypodensity as compared to the untreated WIT group. Our data indicate that a significant FAs abnormality is detectable in the KIT erythrocyte membranes and is partially rescued by omega-3 PUFAs. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.