Oxylipin
Class of lipids / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Oxylipins constitute a family of oxygenated natural products which are formed from fatty acids by pathways involving at least one step of dioxygen-dependent oxidation.[1] These small polar lipid compounds are metabolites of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) including omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. [2][3] Oxylipins are formed by enyzmatic or non-enzymatic oxidation of PUFAs. [2]
In animal species, four main pathways of oxylipin production prevail: lipoxygenases (LOXs) pathway, cyklooxygenases (COXs) route, cytochrome P450 (CYPs) pathway, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) route. [4] These pathways result in formation of many different oxylipin molecules which are important for number of processes in living organisms. The processes include inflamation, blood flow, energy metabolism, cellular life, cell signaling, or muscle contractions. [2][3][4] Oxylipins have both pro- and anti-inflamatory roles. [5]
Oxylipins are widespread in aerobic organisms including plants, animals and fungi. Many of oxylipins have physiological significance.[6][7] Typically, oxylipins are not stored in tissues but are formed on demand by liberation of precursor fatty acids from esterified forms.