Accumulation of free 3-hydroxy fatty acids in the culture media of fibroblasts from patients deficient in long-chain L-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase: A useful diagnostic aid

P. M. Jones, M. Moffitt, D. Joseph, P. A. Harthcock, R. L. Boriack, J. A. Ibdah, A. W. Strauss, M. J. Bennett

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: The diagnosis of long-chain L-3-hydroxyacyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase (LCHAD) deficiency frequently requires the study of cultured fibroblasts. We developed such a test that does not require disruption and loss of the cells. Methods: We measured free 3-hydroxy fatty acids (3-OHFAs) in media of skin fibroblasts cultures from 11 patients with a genetic deficiency of LCHAD and the associated disorder of mitochondrial trifunctional protein (MTFP). Fibroblasts were cultured for 24 h with 100 μmol/L nonisotopic palmitate added. 3-OHFAs were measured by selected-ion monitoring, stable-isotope dilution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with [13C]-labeled internal standards. Results: 3-OH-hexadecanoic and 3-OH-tetradecanoic FAs were increased 14- and 11-fold, respectively, in all patients with LCHAD or MTFP deficiency when compared with control fibroblast cell lines after overnight incubation with palmitate. 3-OH-dodecanoic FA demonstrated a modest, fivefold increase in LCHAD-deficient cells. The concentrations of all 3-OHFAs were similar whether or not the medium samples were hydrolyzed to release conjugated species such as acylcarnitines, suggesting that 3-OHFAs accumulate in the media as free FAs. Conclusions: Measurement of 3-OHFA excretion from LCHAD- or MTFP-deficient cell lines can be used as a diagnostic tool. Free FAs are the predominant form of these abnormal metabolic intermediates in culture media.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1190-1194
Number of pages5
JournalClinical chemistry
Volume47
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - 2001

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Biochemistry, medical

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