Introduction: Adipose tissue plays a central role in many aspects of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. The fatty acid composition of human adipose tissue is also a useful biomarker of the long term average dietary fat. Yet, there have been few biochemical studies of this tissue in man, since it requires surgical excision. The present report describes a simple and risk-free method for obtaining small samples of buttock fat for determination of fatty acid composition.

Methods: Aspiration was performed with a 20ml syringe and 19G needle. Adipose tissue samples were obtained from 67 healthy subjects aged 32-70. Adipose tissue fatty acids were determined by a temperature programmed gas chromatography method.

Results: A typical pattern of adipose fatty acid composition in healthy adults was established. The procedure caused no more anxiety or discomfort than a routine venipuncture.

Conclusion: This method for sampling and determination of fatty acid composition is easy and rapid, and therefore allows application in epidemiological research on the metabolic and nutritional importance of fatty acids.

 Hakim Research Journal 2007 10(1):56 - 60.