General Description
Free fatty acids, also know as nonesterified fatty acids, circulate in the plasma bound to albumin. The majority of free fatty acids are derived from either dietary sources or are mobilized from adipose tissue. Plasma free fatty acids are elevated in many obesity-related disorders and may contribute to insulin resistance in peripheral tissues. Conditions such as sepsis and tumors producing lipoactive homones may also be associated with elevated free fatty acid levels.
Abnormalities in fatty acid metabolism causes fatty liver disease. Accumulation of free fatty acid in myocytes leads to the risk of cardiac dysfunction. Increased fatty acid β-oxidation is implicated in cardiac ischemia.
