Arachidonic Acid

Question 1

What is Arachidonic Acid (AA)?

Answer 1

Arachidonic acid (AA) is an omega-6 fatty acid (20:4 n-6), found primarily in animal products like meat, eggs, and dairy, especially from animals raised on grain.

Question 2

What is the role of delta-5-desaturase in the conversion of AA?

Answer 2

Delta-5-desaturase converts dihomogamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) to Arachidonic acid (AA), but it is preferentially used for the omega-3 pathway.

Question 3

How is Arachidonic Acid metabolized?

Answer 3

Arachidonic acid is metabolized by COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes to produce inflammatory prostaglandins (PG2), leading to inflammation. However, PG2 also induces 15-LOX activity, which forms lipoxins (anti-inflammatory).

Question 4

What inflammatory effects are associated with Arachidonic Acid metabolism?

Answer 4

Metabolism of Arachidonic acid by COX-1 and COX-2 leads to inflammation, including fever, pain, vascular permeability, vasodilation, and oedema.

Question 5

What are the potential anti-inflammatory effects of Arachidonic Acid?

Answer 5

Excessive inflammation is prevented by the formation of lipoxins through 15-LOX activity, which counteracts the inflammatory effects of prostaglandin series 2.