Evaluation of eicosapentaenoic Acid/Arachidonic acid ratio using dried blood spot

Studies over the last half century have shown that a diet rich in fish, especially the intake of n-3 fatty acids, is effective in preventing cardiovascular disease. Determining the eicosapentaenoic acid/arachidonic acid (EPA/ARA) ratio is useful for assessing the quality of dietary habits; however, the convenience of measurements is an issue. We examined the gas chromatography (GC) method of dried blood spot (DBS) as a method to improve the user-friendliness of blood collection. The EPA/ARA ratio of DBS showed a high correlation with that of serum obtained from venous blood, but the value was slightly lower. We developed a rapid GC method capable of making determinations in 11.0 min, shortening the analysis time from 49.3 min in the conventional method. Our new methodology eases the burden on both subjects and healthcare professionals, facilitates large clinical trials, and accelerates routine EPA/ARA ratio measurement.