Arachidonic acid

Description

Arachidonic acid (AA, sometimes ARA) is a polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid 20:4(ω-6). It is the counterpart to the saturated arachidic acid found in peanut oil, (L. arachis – peanut.).

Chemical properties

liquid

Chemical properties

In chemical structure, arachidonic acid is a carboxylic acid with a 20-carbon chain and four cis-double bonds; the first double bond is located at the sixth carbon from the omega end.
Some chemistry sources define 'arachidonic acid' to designate any of the eicosatetraenoic acids. However, almost all writings in biology, medicine and nutrition limit the term to all-cis-5,8,11,14- eicosatetraenoic acid.

The Uses of Arachidonic acid

Arachidonic Acid is an essential fatty acid and a precursor in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes. Arachidonic Acid occurs in liver, brain, glandular organs, and depot fats of animals, in small amounts in human depot fats, and Arachidonic Acid is also a constituent of animal phosphatides.

The Uses of Arachidonic acid

An unsaturated omega-6 fatty acid constituent of the phospholipids of cell membranes

The Uses of Arachidonic acid

arachidonic acid is an ingredient with skin-smoothing, emollient, and healing properties. Arachidonic acid is an omega-6 essential fatty acid naturally occurring in the skin and considered critical for appropriate skin metabolism. It is a constituent of vitamin F.

What are the applications of Application

Arachidonic Acid (20:4, n-6) is a protein kinase C activator, essential fatty acid, and a precursor for all prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes.

Definition

ChEBI: A long-chain fatty acid that is a C20, polyunsaturated fatty acid having four (Z)-double bonds at positions 5, 8, 11 and 14.

General Description

A Certified Spiking Solution^? suitable for use in mass spectrometry-based fatty acid testing applications such as assessment of cardiovascular disease risk and fatty acid deficiency, and detection and quantification of arachidonic acid in nutraceuticals and dietary supplements. Arachidonic acid (cis-5,8,11,14), sometimes referred to as AA or ARA, is a polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid. Studies suggests that ARA as well as other fatty acids can serve as biomarkers for cardiovascular disease, and nutritional and metabolic disorders.

Biological Activity

Endogenous free fatty acid released from phospholipids by phospholipase A 2 . Important cellular signaling mediator and precursor of eicosanoids. Metabolized by lipoxygenases, cyclooxygenases and cytochrome P450 monooxygenases.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Arachidonic acid stimulates adhesion of MDA-MB-435 human metastatic cancer cells to extracellular matrix molecules (collagen IV and vitronectin) .

Safety Profile

Poison by intravenous route.Experimental reproductive effects. Mutation datareported. When heated to decomposition it emits acridsmoke and irritating fumes.

Carcinogenicity

In vitro and in vivo studies indicate that inhibition of arachidonic acid metabolism inhibits the growth of malignant cells, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, and implicates arachadonic acid in facilitating the metastasis of these tumor cells. Arachidonic acid reaction with cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenases yield eicosanoids that can mediate prostate cancer proliferation and enhance both tumor vascularization and metastasis. Cytochrome P450 arachidonic acid epoxygenases promote cell proliferation and inhibit apoptosis in endothelial cells.