Oxylipin

Oxylipins are defined as oxygenated metabolites derived from poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as arachidonic acid (AA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), linoleic acid (LA), and dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These PUFAs are transformed into a variety of oxylipins through either enzymatic or non-enzymatic oxidation processes. Three main classes of enzymes- cytochrome P450 (CYP450), cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) -play important roles in the generation of the complex pool of bioactive components from the different precursor PUFAs. Eicosanoids, the best-described lipid mediators, are those biologically active lipid mediators derived from C20 fatty acids, such as prostaglandins, thromboxanes, leukotrienes and related oxygenated derivatives. Oxylipins, affect a broad range of biological processes such as host defense, tissue injury, and surgical intervention and responses to cardiovascular diseases.