Dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) is one of the 20-carbon fatty acids that can be metabolized to prostaglandins and thromboxanes (TXs) by cyclooxygenases 1 and 2 (COX-1/COX-2).
1 The result of this metabolism in the human platelet yields TXB
1. TXB
1 is produced in small amounts when DGLA is added to washed suspensions of human platelets, while the major metabolism of this 1-
series fatty acid is
via 12-
lipoxygenase.
2 However, when co-
incubated with amounts of ethanol often found in intoxicated humans, the metabolism of DGLA shifts to an enhanced production of TXB
1.
2 Urinary TXB
1 or its metabolites may thus be a specific biomarker of prior ethanol abuse.
1. Levin, G., Duffin, K.L., Obukowicz, M.G., et al. Differential metabolism of dihomo-γ-linolenic acid and arachidonic acid by cyclo-oxygenase-1 and cyclo-oxygenase-2: Implications for cellular synthesis of prostaglandin E1 and prostaglandin E2 Biochem. J. 365(Pt 2),489-496(2002).
2. Manku, M.S., Oka, M., and Horrobin, D.F. Differential regulation of the formation of prostaglandins and related substances from arachidonic acid and from dihomogammalinolenic acid. I. Effects of ethanol Prostaglandins Med. 3(2),119-128(1979).
