This is interesting, there is more Mead acid in the Cystic fibrosis patients:
QUOTE: Although platelet AA and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content is normal in CF platelets, another fatty acid, Mead acid (20:3 n-9), is present in excess (47). Interestingly, when Mead acid is metabolized by platelet 12-lipoxygenase an end product is generated with PGE2-like activity, which enhances platelet aggregation (50, 51). Thus, an intrinsic fatty acid abnormality is present in CF platelets and, through the metabolism of Mead acid, may contribute to the observed increase in CF platelet activation. However, whether or not this platelet fatty acid abnormality can explain CF platelet activation has been questioned. UNQUOTE
SOURCE: http://ajrccm.atsjournals.org/cgi/content/full/173/5/483 |