Sphingomyelin content of erythrocyte membranes is in linear association with membranes' loading with cholesterol in coronary artery disease patients

Objectives: Cholesterol transported by erythrocyte membranes and deposited into the necrotic core of plaques, contributes to lipid core growth and thus to plaque instability. Total cholesterol content of erythrocyte membranes (TCEM) has been identified as a possible marker of coronary artery disease (CAD) instability. Sphingolipids and especially sphingomyelin (SM) are particularly important for cellular membrane physiology. SM has a molecular attraction for cholesterol as it “traps” cholesterol within a particular membrane site preventing its normal cellular movement and metabolism. The precise mechanisms, however, by which erythrocyte membranes are loaded with cholesterol are still unknown. With the present study sought to assess whether SM content of erythrocyte membranes (SMEM) is associated with TCEM.