Pharmaceutical Raw Material Arachidonic Acid (RAR powder) for Nutrition Supplements CAS: 506-32-1

What is Arachidonic acid ? 

Arachidonic acid (AA) is an unsaturated ω⁶ fatty acid constituent of the phospholipids of cell membranes. Phospholipase A2 releases AA from the membrane phospholipids in response to inflammation. AA is subsequently metabolized to prostaglandins and thromboxanes by at least two cyclooxygenase (COX) isoforms, to leukotrienes and lipoxins by lipoxygenases, and to epoxyeicosatrienoic acids via cytochrome p450-catalyzed metabolism. AA and its metabolites play important roles in a variety of biological processes, including signal transduction, smooth muscle contraction, chemotaxis, cell proliferation and differentiation, and apoptosis. AA has been demonstrated to bind to the a subunit of G protein and inhibit the activity of Ras GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs). Cellular uptake of AA is energy dependent and involves protein-facilitated transport across the plasma membrane.

Arachidonic acid stimulates adhesion of MDA-MB-435 human metastatic cancer cells to extracellular matrix molecules (collagen IV and vitronectin) .

Applycation of Arachidonic acid

Diet and Inflammatory Disease

Eicosanoids formed from AA regulate inflammatory responses as well as help tissue regenerate after the inflammation has subsided. These processes happen in cancer, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune disorders. Scientific studies on changing single components of a diet are difficult to do and often do not show clear cut results. However, where people have changed their diet -- to a Western diet -- that increased the omega 6 to omega 3 ratio, it has coincided with increases in chronic inflammatory diseases such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, cardiovascular disease, obesity, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and Alzheimer's disease (See reference 1).

AA and Muscles

Because of the association with muscle tissue maintenance, AA supplements are being used by some body builders to enhance the training effects. A study in the "Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition" published in November 2007 found that after 25 days there was evidence of reduced inflammation in people who took AA supplements but no increase in strength or muscle growth.

Treatments for Inflammation

The discovery of the COX enzymes and the role of AA derived eicosanoids in pain and inflammation, led to the understanding that aspirin works by blocking COX enzymes. Medicines that are COX inhibitors -- called nonsterioidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, Celebrex -- celecoxib -- also block COX enzymes and relieve pain, inflammation and prevent heart attacks by blocking the actions of molecules derived from AA. However, NSAIDS may cause ulcers because they also block the formation of eicosanoids that help repair damages to the stomach and intestinal lining.

What is Arachidonic acid ? 

Arachidonic acid (AA) is an unsaturated ω⁶ fatty acid constituent of the phospholipids of cell membranes. Phospholipase A2 releases AA from the membrane phospholipids in response to inflammation. AA is subsequently metabolized to prostaglandins and thromboxanes by at least two cyclooxygenase (COX) isoforms, to leukotrienes and lipoxins by lipoxygenases, and to epoxyeicosatrienoic acids via cytochrome p450-catalyzed metabolism. AA and its metabolites play important roles in a variety of biological processes, including signal transduction, smooth muscle contraction, chemotaxis, cell proliferation and differentiation, and apoptosis. AA has been demonstrated to bind to the a subunit of G protein and inhibit the activity of Ras GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs). Cellular uptake of AA is energy dependent and involves protein-facilitated transport across the plasma membrane.

Arachidonic acid stimulates adhesion of MDA-MB-435 human metastatic cancer cells to extracellular matrix molecules (collagen IV and vitronectin) .

Applycation of Arachidonic acid

Diet and Inflammatory Disease

Eicosanoids formed from AA regulate inflammatory responses as well as help tissue regenerate after the inflammation has subsided. These processes happen in cancer, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune disorders. Scientific studies on changing single components of a diet are difficult to do and often do not show clear cut results. However, where people have changed their diet -- to a Western diet -- that increased the omega 6 to omega 3 ratio, it has coincided with increases in chronic inflammatory diseases such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, cardiovascular disease, obesity, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and Alzheimer's disease (See reference 1).

AA and Muscles

Because of the association with muscle tissue maintenance, AA supplements are being used by some body builders to enhance the training effects. A study in the "Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition" published in November 2007 found that after 25 days there was evidence of reduced inflammation in people who took AA supplements but no increase in strength or muscle growth.

Treatments for Inflammation

The discovery of the COX enzymes and the role of AA derived eicosanoids in pain and inflammation, led to the understanding that aspirin works by blocking COX enzymes. Medicines that are COX inhibitors -- called nonsterioidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, Celebrex -- celecoxib -- also block COX enzymes and relieve pain, inflammation and prevent heart attacks by blocking the actions of molecules derived from AA. However, NSAIDS may cause ulcers because they also block the formation of eicosanoids that help repair damages to the stomach and intestinal lining.