Is essential fatty acid interconversion an important source of PUFA in humans?

30Citations
Citations of this article
33Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

Abstract

Humans can obtain pre-formed long-chain PUFA from the diet and are also able to convert essential fatty acids (EFA) to longer-chain PUFA. The metabolic pathway responsible for EFA interconversion involves alternating desaturation and carbon chain elongation reactions, and carbon chain shortening by peroxisomal β-oxidation. Studies using stable isotope tracers or diets supplemented with EFA show that capacity for PUFA synthesis is limited in humans, such that DHA (22: 6n-3) synthesis in men is negligible. PUFA synthesis is higher in women of reproductive age compared with men. However, the magnitude of the contribution of hepatic PUFA synthesis to whole-body PUFA status remains unclear. A number of extra-hepatic tissues have been shown to synthesise PUFA or to express genes for enzymes involved in this pathway. The precise function of extra-hepatic PUFA synthesis is largely unknown, although in T lymphocytes PUFA synthesis is involved in the regulation of cell activation and proliferation. Local PUFA synthesis may also be important for spermatogenesis and fertility. One possible role of extra-hepatic PUFA synthesis is that it may provide PUFA in a timely manner to facilitate specific cell functions. If so, this may suggest novel insights into the effect of dietary PUFA and/or polymorphisms in genes involved in PUFA synthesis on health and tissue function.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Burdge, G. C. (2019). Is essential fatty acid interconversion an important source of PUFA in humans? British Journal of Nutrition, 121(6), 615–624. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114518003707

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free