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Arachidonic acid cytotoxicity: can arachidonic acid be a physiological mediator of cell death?
Author(s) -
Pompeia Celine,
Lima Thais,
Curi Rui
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
cell biochemistry and function
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.933
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1099-0844
pISSN - 0263-6484
DOI - 10.1002/cbf.1012
Subject(s) - arachidonic acid , cytotoxic t cell , cyp2c8 , oxidative stress , programmed cell death , biochemistry , apoptosis , polyunsaturated fatty acid , biology , chemistry , inflammation , cytotoxicity , in vivo , pharmacology , fatty acid , microbiology and biotechnology , in vitro , immunology , metabolism , enzyme , cyp2c9 , cytochrome p450
Arachidonic acid is a polyunsaturated fatty acid that mediates inflammation and the functioning of several organs and systems either directly or upon its conversion into eicosanoids. However, arachidonic acid is found to be cytotoxic in vitro at concentrations that overlap physiological ones. It is tempting therefore to speculate that arachidonic acid may be a physiological inducer of apoptosis and that such cytotoxic action may be another of its roles in vivo . Nevertheless its pro‐inflammatory and oxidative stress‐inducing features are characteristic of necrosis and pathological conditions. We hereby review the cytotoxic action of arachidonic acid, indicate the possible pathways that lead to cell death and contemplate the cytotoxic role of arachidonic acid in vivo . Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.