Modulation in delta 9, delta 6, and delta 5 fatty acid desaturase activity in the human intestinal CaCo-2 cell line.

Inhibiting Delta-6 Desaturase Activity Suppresses Tumor Growth in Mice

Recent studies have shown that a tumor-supportive microenvironment is characterized by high levels of pro-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic eicosanoids derived from omega-6 (n-6) arachidonic acid (AA). Although the metabolic pathways (COX, LOX, and P450) that generate these n-6 AA eicosanoids have been targeted, the role of endogenous AA production in tumorigenesis remains unexplored. Delta-6 des...

Isolation and characterization of a Delta 5-fatty acid desaturase from Caenorhabditis elegans.

Arachidonic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid are important precursors for the production of prostaglandins and other hormone-like eicosanoid molecules. These fatty acids are synthesized by animals by elongating and desaturating precursor fatty acids such as linoleic acid (18:2Delta9,12) and alpha-linolenic acid (18:3Delta9, 12,15). We have identified a Delta5 fatty acid desaturase gene (fat-4) fr...

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Ecological and Toxicological Conditions in the Delta Volga River

The decrease in the level of industrial production and the significant reduction of highly toxic substances used in the agriculture of the Volga region in the last decade did not maintain the expected decrease of pollution level in the Volga water. Concentration of many polluting substances in water continues to remain high. Among the numerous polluting substances in the Volga River two groups ...

Docosahexaenoic acid supplementation fully restores fertility and spermatogenesis in male delta-6 desaturase-null mice.

Delta-6 desaturase-null mice ((-/-)) are unable to synthesize highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs): arachidonic acid (AA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and n6-docosapentaenoic acid (DPAn6). The (-/-) males exhibit infertility and arrest of spermatogenesis at late spermiogenesis. To determine which HUFA is essential for spermiogenesis, a diet supplemented with either 0.2% (w/w) AA or DHA was fe...