Adverse plasma fatty acid composition in patients with femoral neck fracture.

Our study was aimed to examine the status of plasma fatty acids (FAs), inflammatory markers and lipid peroxidation in patients with femoral neck fractures. Study included 20 patients (64-86 years) with femoral neck fractures, indicated for surgery, and control group of 17 elderly subjects, without fractures or serious chronic diseases. Plasma was obtained during the first 12 hours postfracture and presurgery, and 7 days postop. Compared to control, patients had significantly higher saturated FA (SFA) and monounsaturated FA, as well as increased TNF-α and IL-6. In opposite, levels of individual and total n-6 polyunsaturated FA (PUFA), individual and total n-3 PUFA, n-6/n-3 ratio and levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were markedly lower in the patient than controls. On the 7th day after the surgery we showed a further rise in the SFA, oleic acid and TNF-α, and reductions of n-6 PUFA and IL-6. Taken together our results suggest that altered FA status, especially reduced PUFA, may influence hip fracture repair and even contribute to femoral fractures susceptibility in the elderly. Potential benefit from nutritional intervention with PUFA in prevention and/or fracture healing should be considered.