Five Decades with Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: Chemical Synthesis, Enzymatic Formation, Lipid Peroxidation and Its Biological Effects

Abstract

I have been involved in research on polyunsaturated fatty acids since 1964 and this review is intended to cover some of the most important aspects of this work. Polyunsaturated fatty acids have followed me during my whole scientific career and I have published a number of studies concerned with different aspects of them such as chemical synthesis, enzymatic formation, metabolism, transport, physical, chemical, and catalytic properties of a reconstructed desaturase system in liposomes, lipid peroxidation, and their effects. The first project I became involved in was the organic synthesis of [1-14C] eicosa-11,14-dienoic acid, with the aim of demonstrating the participation of that compound as a possible intermediary in the biosynthesis of arachidonic acid “in vivo.” From 1966 to 1982, I was involved in several projects that study the metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids. In the eighties, we studied fatty acid binding protein. From 1990 up to now, our laboratory has been interested in the lipid peroxidation of biological membranes from various tissues and different species as well as liposomes prepared with phospholipids rich in PUFAs. We tested the effect of many antioxidants such as alpha tocopherol, vitamin A, melatonin and its structural analogues, and conjugated linoleic acid, among others.

Perturbations in polar lipids, starvation survival and reproduction following exposure to unsaturated fatty acids or environmental toxicants in Daphnia magna

“…Alterations in dietary PUFA levels, n-3 fatty acids and n-3/n-6 ratio can also affect membrane-linked cellular processes involved in energy metabolism (Hulbert et al, 2005). Research indicates that changes in dietary lipids impact metabolic rate, neuropeptide activity, second messenger generation and gene expression thus affecting several glucose and lipid metabolism pathways; confirming the role of PUFAs as signaling molecules related to growth, development, and energy metabolism (Hulbert et al, 2005; Wei et al, 2010; Catala, 2013). …”

A genome-wide association study of saturated, mono- and polyunsaturated red blood cell fatty acids in the Framingham Heart Offspring Study

“…The FADS genes ( FADS1, FADS2 and FADS3 ) are fatty acid desaturase genes. The proteins encoded by these genes are key enzymes involved in the the desaturation of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids as follows: FADS1 desaturates at the delta-5 position [e.g., the conversion of DGLA (20:3n6) to AA (20:4n6)] and FADS2 desaturates at the delta-6 position [e.g., the conversion of LA (18:2n6) to GLA (18:3n6)] [22,46]. FADS3 has non-specific, or currently ill-defined desaturation activity (see also Supplemental Figure 2).…”

Altered development and function of the placental regions in preeclampsia and its association with long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids

“…Studies on placental BeWo cell lines, explants, and rats indicate that at lower doses, omega 3 fatty acid (especially DHA) reduces placental oxidative stress and oxidative DNA damage and increases the levels of resolvins, protectins, and total antioxidant capacity . However, in contrast, free radicals are also known to peroxidize LCPUFA, which is injurious to the cells . A recent human study reported that diets rich in EPA and DHA during pregnancy were unable to reduce inflammatory cytokine levels in the placenta .…”