Altered serum lipid profiles seen in patients with polymyositis or dermatomyositis

Compared with a healthy control group, patients with either polymyositis or dermatomyositis had altered fatty acid profiles, which may represent a potential therapeutic target, according to a recent presentation by researchers from Stockholm University.

Researchers analyzed blood sera from 14 patients with either polymyositis (PM) or dermatomyositis (DM) and persistent muscle weakness. The patients were matched to 12 healthy participants for age and gender. Eight patients with newly onset PM or DM were recruited and sera were analyzed both before and after initiation of treatment, including glucocorticoids. The fatty acid (FA) composition, including proportions of triacylglycerols, phospholipids, sphingolipids and lysophospholipids, was determined.

Preliminary results showed the composition of total serum lipids was altered in patients with PM or DM compared to the healthy participants. Palmitic 16:0 acid levels were significantly higher and arachidonic 20:4 acid was significantly lower in patients with PM or DM. The FA profiles were affected following immunosuppressive therapy in both total lipids and lipid classes. Eicosadienoic 20:2 (n-6) and eicosapentenoic 20:5 (n-3) acids were significantly higher in patients with PM or DM following treatment. Significantly higher levels of phosphatidylcholine 32:1, phosphatidylethanolamine 36:5 and lysophosphatidylcholine 16:1 acids were observed following the initiation of treatment compared to baseline.

“These data suggest that FA metabolism might be deregulated in PM and DM patients and this may contribute to impaired muscle performance and representing a potential therapeutic target in PM and DM,” the researchers wrote. - by Shirley Pulawski

Reference:

Raouf J, et al. Paper #283. Presented at: American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting. Nov. 7-11, 2015; San Francisco.

Disclosure s : The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.