JLR Commentaries
Directing eicosanoid esterification into phospholipids
Eicosanoids are well known potent signaling mediators generated by cyclooxygenases (COXs), lipoxygenases (LOXs), and cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes in immune cells, platelets, and inflammatory activated tissues. As free acids, they signal by binding to G protein-coupled receptors following secretion from their cell of origin. For many years, it has been known that when added to cells, exogenous eicosanoids can be incorporated into more complex lipids, including phospholipids (PLs). However until recently this was considered little more than an epiphenomenon.Specialized pro-resolving mediators: do they circulate in plasma?
This issue of the Journal of Lipid Research reports a patient-oriented study by workers at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn group) (1) using n-3 PUFA ester supplementation in attempts to detect the appearance of oxidized DHA and EPA in plasma and urine. Fish oil and purified n-3 PUFA supplementations have certainly emerged on the conscious level of the Western consumer by intense advertising, both for prescription supplements (e.g., Lovaza fish oil) and over-the-counter fish oil products and related biological extracts.
