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alpha-linolenate; alpha-linolenic acid [C18:3w3] (ALA)
[C18:3w3].
Function:
- precursor to eicosapentaenoic (EPA) & docosahexaenoic acids (DHA)
- in humans, conversion may be limited [1].
- while conversion of linoleic acid (LA) to arachidonic acid (AA) is generally very efficient, conversion of alpha linolenic acid (ALA) to EPA & DHA is not
- in healthy individuals, 5-10% of ALA is converted to EPA, & 2-5% to DHA [2]
- conversion is more efficient for women than for men
- a possible explanation for the low conversion of ALA to EPA, a 3-enzyme process, is that the initial enzyme, 6-desaturase (EC 1.14.99.25), is rate limiting in humans, as it is in rodents [4]
- ALA itself may reduce risk of cardiovascular disease [3]
a) ventricular fibrillation
b) platelet aggregation
- ALA stimulates secretion of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) from the gastrointestinal tract via FFAR1 & FFAR4 [4,5]
Laboratory:
- alpha-linolenate in erythrocytes
- alpha-linolenate in serum/plasma
General
fatty acid, omega-3 (Epanova)
linolenate; linolenic acid [C18:3]
Properties
COMPARTMENT: membrane
SIZE: MW = 278.4 G/MOL
Database Correlations
PUBCHEM correlations
References
- Burdge G.
Alpha-linolenic acid metabolism in men and women: nutritional
and biological implications.
Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2004 Mar;7(2):137-44.
PMID: 15075703
- Davis BC, Kris-Etherton PM.
Achieving optimal essential fatty acid status in vegetarians:
current knowledge and practical implications.
Am J Clin Nutr. 2003 Sep;78(3 Suppl):640S-646S. Review.
PMID: 12936959
- Lanzmann-Petithory D.
Alpha-linolenic acid and cardiovascular diseases.
J Nutr Health Aging. 2001;5(3):179-83. Review.
PMID: 11458289
- Hirasawa A, Tsumaya K, Awaji T et al
Free fatty acids regulate gut incretin glucagon-like peptide-1
secretion through GPR120.
Nat Med. 2005 Jan;11(1):90-4
PMID: 15619630
- Edfalk S, Steneberg P, Edlund H.
Gpr40 is expressed in enteroendocrine cells and mediates
free fatty acid stimulation of incretin secretion.
Diabetes. 2008 Sep;57(9):2280-7
PMID: 18519800