Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6ω3) is one of the essential dietary ω-
3 unsaturated fatty acids and the preferred n-
3 fatty acid for development of the brain and retina.
1 4,5-
dehydro DHA is a novel analog of DHA in which the double bond closest to the carboxyl group has been converted into an acetylene. 4,5-
dehydro DHA is a novel compound that has not been studied in biological systems. However, the corresponding acetylene in the C-
20 fatty acid series (5,6-
dehydro arachidonic acid) is a well known inhibitor of 5-
lipoxygenase.
2