Arachidonic acid

Arachidonic acid is a 20-carbon omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid found mainly in cell-membrane phospholipids. Enzymes release it to make signaling molecules involved in inflammation, blood clotting, and other processes.

Phospholipase A₂: An enzyme family that cleaves fatty acids from the second position of membrane phospholipids. It commonly releases arachidonic acid from membrane phospholipids.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: A drug class that reduces pain and inflammation, commonly by inhibiting cyclooxygenase enzymes. These drugs limit prostaglandin synthesis from arachidonic acid.
Fatty acid: A carboxylic acid with a hydrocarbon chain, often serving as a fuel or component of lipids. Arachidonic acid is a long-chain member of this chemical family.
Inflammation: A coordinated tissue response to infection, injury, or harmful stimuli. Several arachidonic-acid metabolites promote or resolve inflammatory responses.
Omega-6 fatty acid controversy: Debate over how omega-6 fatty-acid intake affects inflammation and chronic disease risk. Arachidonic acid is central to claims about omega-6 fats and inflammation.
Cyclooxygenase: An enzyme family that converts arachidonic acid into prostaglandin intermediates. This route produces prostaglandins and thromboxanes from arachidonic acid.
Glucocorticoids: Steroid hormones and medicines that suppress immune and inflammatory responses through gene regulation. They reduce inflammatory mediator production partly by limiting arachidonic-acid release and metabolism.
Polyunsaturated fatty acid: A fatty acid whose hydrocarbon chain contains two or more carbon–carbon double bonds. Arachidonic acid has four double bonds, making it polyunsaturated.
Prostaglandin: A group of locally acting lipid mediators produced through cyclooxygenase pathways. Prostaglandins derived from arachidonic acid affect pain, fever, and tissue function.
Dietary fat: Fat consumed in food, comprising different fatty acids and lipid molecules. Dietary patterns can alter the precursors available for arachidonic-acid synthesis.

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