Gamma Linolenic Acid: An Antiinflammatory Omega-6 Fatty Acid

Abstract

Inflammation plays an important role in health and disease. Most of the chronic diseases of modern society, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, etc. have inflammatory component. At the same time, the link between diet and disease is also being recognized. Amongst dietary constituents, fat has gained most recognition in affecting health. Saturated and trans fatty acids have been implicated in obesity, heart disease, diabetes and cancer while polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) generally have a positive effect on health. The PUFAs of omega-3 and omega-6 series play a significant role in health and disease by generating potent modulatory molecules for inflammatory responses, including eicosanoids (prostaglandins, and leukotrienes), and cytokines (interleukins) and affecting the gene expression of various bioactive molecules. Gamma linolenic acid (GLA, all cis 6, 9, 12-Octadecatrienoic acid, C18:3, n-6), is produced in the body from linoleic acid (all cis 6,9-octadecadienoic acid), an essential fatty acid of omega-6 series by the enzyme delta-6-desaturase. Preformed GLA is present in trace amounts in green leafy vegetables and in nuts. The most significant source of GLA for infants is breast milk. GLA is further metabolized to dihomogamma linlenic acid (DGLA) which undergoes oxidative metabolism by cyclooxygenases and lipoxygenases to produce anti-inflammatory eicosanoids (prostaglandins of series 1 and leukotrienes of series 3). GLA and its metabolites also affect expression of various genes where by regulating the levels of gene products including matrix proteins. These gene products play a significant role in immune functions and also in cell death (apoptosis). The present review will emphasize the role of GLA in modulating inflammatory response, and hence its potential applications as an anti-inflammatory nutrient or adjuvant.

Fatty acid profile and oxidation tests of fat extracted from yogurt using rose hip seed oil

“…It would be desirable to enrich dairy products with polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are not synthesized in the human body, and the intake of which from food is often very poor. These acids have many health-promoting properties (Delgado-Lista et al, 2012;Kapoor and Huang, 2006;Ranieri et al, 2009). High levels of interest in the consumption of omega 3 fatty acids have made it possible to produce food fortified with EPA and DHA from marine sources (Kolanowski and Weiβbrodt, 2007;Rognlien et al, 2012).…”

Harnessing Indigenous Plant Seed Oil for the Production of Bio-fuel by an Oleaginous Fungus, Cunninghamella blakesleeana- JSK2, Isolated from Tropical Soil

“…Gamma-linolenic acid is of particular interest owing to its anti-inflammatory [13] and anticancer property [14]. Besides this, it is used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis [15] and rheumatoid arthritis [16].…”

Optimization of Process Parameters for the Production of Gamma-Linolenic Acid from Cunnighamella elegans CFR C07 under Submerged Fermentation

“…The role of GLA in metabolism is various; dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) is the active form of GLA that mediates most of its physiological actions including cell to cell communication, synthesis of prostagladins, anti-inflammatory, vasodilatory and anti-aggregatory actions (3). However, it has been found that in vivo conversion of linolenic acid into GLA is hindered by ageing, consumption of alcohol and vitamin deficiency (4).…”