Linoleic-acid-dependent slowing of erythrocyte sedimentation in multiple sclerosis.

The influence of linoleic acid upon the sedimentation of washed erythrocytes from multiple sclerosis patients and controls was investigated in the present study. Linoleic acid, especially in the concentration of 250 microM and 500 microM, caused slowing of erythrocyte sedimentation and this effect was significantly greater in multiple sclerosis than in controls. These findings with all probability reflect an unsaturated fatty acid-dependent membrane alteration in multiple sclerosis and are analogues to results obtained earlier by several authors by using cytopherometric measurements.