Fatty acids composition of aorta and saphenous vein tissues in patients with coronary artery diseases

Introduction: Considering importance of fatty acids in developing coronary artery disease (CAD) and lack of information about saphenous vein which is commonly used as coronary arterial bypass, in this study we investigated differences in fatty acids composition between saphenous vein and aorta tissues in patients with CAD. Methods: Biopsy samples of aortic tissues and saphenous veins as well as blood samples were obtained form 42 patients with CAD. Fatty acids composition of the tissues was determined using gas chromatography and also serum lipid profile was evaluated by commercial kits. Results: Levels of palmitic acid (16:0) were significantly higher in aorta in compared with saphenous (P < 0.001). Also levels of most unsaturated fatty acids (16:1, 18:1n-9, 18:1t, 18:2t, 18:3 n-9 and 22:3n-3) were statistically higher in saphenous tissue than aorta tissue (P < 0.05). Mean levels of linoleic acid (18:2 n-6) was higher in aorta tissue in comparison with saphenous tissue (P = 0.01). We observed positive correlations between serum levels of LDL-C with elaidic acid and linoleic acid levels in saphenous. Evaluation of aorta tissue fatty acids revealed that palmitoleic acid (16:1) had positive and arachidonic and linoleic acids had negative correlations with serum HDL-C levels. Conclusion: Our results revealed difference between fatty acids composition of aorta and saphenous vein tissues and existence of correlations between the fatty acids levels with serum lipid profile. The saphenous vein had higher poly-unsaturated fatty acids in compared to aorta tissue and thus this vein is not at risk of atherosclerosis and can be used as coronary arterial bypass.