The fatty acids of platelets and red blood cells in urban black South Africans with myocardial infarction.

The occurrence of myocardial infarction (MI) in Black South Africans, while poorly documented, is believed by many to be approximately one-tenth that of White South Africans. Recently, this disease has been reported to be increasing in the urban Black South African population. In order to determine if variations in dietary habit within the urban black community are contributing to the disease occurrence, the fatty acid content of whole platelets and red blood cells (RBC) were measured in 25 urban Black Africans with documented history of MI. These values were compared to an asymptomatic Black African control group. Total saturated fatty acids were increased and total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were decreased in the patient's platelets. Stearic acid (18:0) was significantly increased and eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5 n-3) was slightly but significantly decreased in the patient's platelets. No difference was seen in the total saturated and total unsaturated fatty acid levels of red blood cells (RBCs). Only 20:5n-3 and 22:5n-3 were slightly but significantly decreased in the patient's RBCs. Similarities in RBC fatty acids indicate that the progression of MI in this population may not be related solely to changes in dietary habits.