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Essential fatty acids: biochemistry, physiology and pathology
Author(s) -
Das Undurti N.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
biotechnology journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.144
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1860-7314
pISSN - 1860-6768
DOI - 10.1002/biot.200600012
Subject(s) - thromboxanes , docosahexaenoic acid , biochemistry , eicosapentaenoic acid , polyunsaturated fatty acid , arachidonic acid , peroxisome , chemistry , biology , fatty acid , receptor , enzyme
Abstract Essential fatty acids (EFAs), linoleic acid (LA), and α‐linolenic acid (ALA) are essential for humans, and are freely available in the diet. Hence, EFA deficiency is extremely rare in humans. To derive the full benefits of EFAs, they need to be metabolized to their respective long‐chain metabolites, i.e. , dihomo‐γ‐linolenic acid (DGLA), and arachidonic acid (AA) from LA; and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) from ALA. Some of these long‐chain metabolites not only form precursors to respective prostaglandins (PGs), thromboxanes (TXs), and leukotrienes (LTs), but also give rise to lipoxins (LXs) and resolvins that have potent anti‐inflammatory actions. Furthermore, EFAs and their metabolites may function as endogenous angiotensin‐converting enzyme and 3‐hdroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, nitric oxide (NO) enhancers, anti‐hypertensives, and anti‐atherosclerotic molecules. Recent studies revealed that EFAs react with NO to yield respective nitroalkene derivatives that exert cell‐signaling actions via ligation and activation of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptors. The metabolism of EFAs is altered in several diseases such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, atherosclerosis, and cancer. Thus, EFAs and their derivatives have varied biological actions and seem to be involved in several physiological and pathological processes.