PLASMA PHOSPHOLIPID FATTY-ACID COMPOSITION AND FACTOR-VII COAGULANT ACTIVITY

Plasma phospholipid fatty acid composition reflects, to a moderate degree, the fatty acid composition of the diet. To determine whether plasma phospholipid fatty acid composition might influence factor VII coagulant activity (factor VIIc), we examined 2207 middle-aged adults free of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Factor VIIc was associated positively with the percentage of fatty acids that was saturated, and it was associated negatively with the linoleic acid percentage and the phospholipid polyunsaturated/ saturated fatty acid ratio, For example, a 1.9% greater saturated fatty acid level was associated with approximately a 5% higher factor VIIc. These results suggest a role for dietary fat composition, or related dietary patterns, in determining levels of factor VIIc.