title: [Significance and motivation of the clinical use of essential fatty acid derivatives, especially gamma-linolenic acid].
abstract: Although they were discovered in the first half of our century, essential fatty acids have started commanding clinical interest only during the last few years. Their vast possibilities for therapeutic use make basic knowledge of their chemical nature and physiologic significance a necessity. Essential fatty acids (linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid) are important not only in themselves but also as precursors of other polyunsaturated fatty acids. Besides, from some of these compounds an important series of substances is derived, such as prostaglandins, thromboxanes, prostacyclins, and leukotrienes. The sequence of enzymatic reactions on which the biosynthesis of these substances depends is altered in certain human pathologies. The key to the mechanism of action of some oils, such as evening primrose oil, is the fact that it contains as active principle the product of the blocked enzymatic reaction.
authors.affiliation: Università degli Studi di Bologna, Dipartimento di Biochimica, Centro Ricerche sulla Nutrizione.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bordoni
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008041:Linoleic Acids; D008042:Linolenic Acids / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D031665:Oenothera biennis; D010938:Plant Oils; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid
chemical_list: D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential; D008041:Linoleic Acids; D008042:Linolenic Acids; D010938:Plant Oils; C028498:evening primrose oil; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid
vernacular_title: Significato e motivazioni dell'uso clinico dei derivati degli acidi grassi essenziali ed in particolare dell'acido gamma-linolenico.