Insulin binding to erythrocytes and fatty acid composition of erythrocyte membrane phospholipids in healthy men.

The relationship between specific insulin binding to insulin receptors on erythrocytes and erythrocyte membrane phospholipid fatty acid pattern was evaluated in 11 healthy men. A significant negative correlation between insulin binding and the proportion of w-6 family essential fatty acids, especially linoleic acid (r = -0.82, p less than 0.01) and arachidonic acid (r = -0.73, p less than 0.05) in erythrocyte membrane was found. On the other hand significant positive correlation between insulin binding and the content of nonessential fatty acids (r = +0.65, p less than 0.05) was seen. Data presented support the hypothesis that the fatty acid composition of membrane phospholipids may modify properties of insulin receptors.