Plasma total lipids were extracted as previously described (Bligh & Dyer, 1959). Briefly, lipids were extracted under
N2 in a mixture of chloroform/methanol containing 0.05% butylated hydroxytoluene. Sodium chloride was then
added, samples centrifuged at 400 g at 20 ฐC for 5 min and the bottom phase collected and dried under N2. Chloroform/ methanol containing 0.05% butylated hydroxytoluene was then added and phospholipids separated by thin layer chromatography, extracted using isohexane and fatty acid methyl esters analyzed by gas chromatography
as previously described (Thies et al., 2001b).