Physiological importance of omega-3/omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in man. An overview of still unresolved and controversial questions.
The 'essentiality' of (omega-6) and (omega-3) fatty acids in mammals is well known. Nevertheless, some important points remain unclear concerning their implication in physiology. After a short discussion about the definition of essential fatty acids deficiency, this brief overview deals with some of these points, pointing out some of the unresolved questions. Different subjects are approached concerning the (omega-6) and (omega-3) fatty acids metabolism: desaturases, eicosanoids, production, as well as some of their metabolic effects on cell membranes, intestinal function, glucose and lipid metabolism, haemorheology.
Debry
G
G
Département de Nutrition et des Maladies Métaboliques, Université de Nancy I, France.
Pelletier
X
X
D000375:Aging; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology; D015777:Eicosanoids / Q000502:physiology; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000502:physiology; D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases / Q000502:physiology; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential / Q000172:deficiency / Q000502:physiology*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000502:physiology; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000502:physiology*; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006728:Hormones / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000502:physiology; D050356:Lipid Metabolism
D015777:Eicosanoids; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D006728:Hormones; D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases; D005947:Glucose