MSI_000043116

Steridonic acid, also known as (6z,9z,12z,15z)-octadecatetraenoic acid or stearidonate, belongs to lineolic acids and derivatives class of compounds. Those are derivatives of lineolic acid. Lineolic acid is a polyunsaturated omega-6 18 carbon long fatty acid, with two CC double bonds at the 9- and 12-positions. Thus, steridonic acid is considered to be a fatty acid lipid molecule. Steridonic acid is practically insoluble (in water) and a weakly acidic compound (based on its pKa). Steridonic acid can be found in borage, which makes steridonic acid a potential biomarker for the consumption of this food product. Steridonic acid can be found primarily in blood and feces. In humans, steridonic acid is involved in the alpha linolenic acid and linoleic acid metabolism. Stearidonic acid is found in dietary plant oils which are metabolized to longer-chain, more unsaturated (n-3) PUFA. These oils appear to possess hypotriglyceridemic properties typically associated with fish oils.(PMID: 15173404). Stearidonic acid may be used as a precursor to increase the EPA content of human lipids and that combinations of gamma-linolenic acid and stearidonic acid eicosapentaenoic acid can be used to manipulate the fatty acid compositions of lipid pools in subtle ways. Such effects may offer new strategies for manipulation of cell composition in order to influence cellular responses and functions in desirable ways. (PMID: 15120716).