Polyunsaturated fatty acids, insulin resistance, and atherosclerosis: Is inflammation the connecting link?

Gal Dubnov, Elliot M. Berry*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

We discuss the concept that the two essential (not produced by the body and obtained exclusively through the diet) polyunsaturated fatty acid families-n-6 and n-3 - may play a role in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance through inflammatory pathways. Linoleic acid, the major n-6 fatty acid, is metabolized into pro-inflammatory arachidonic acid, which, in turn, gives rise to leukotrienes and protaglandins. N-3 fatty acids, found in plants and in fish, reduce the levels of arachidonic acid, thereby lowering inflammatory mediator concentrations and increasing insulin sensitization. We discuss these findings and their implications for insulin resistance and their possible effect on coronary heart disease.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)124-128
Number of pages5
JournalMetabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders
Volume2
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2004

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