4.10 : Lipid-derived Compounds in the Human Body

Fats and lipids are crucial components in the human body. Some lipid-derived compounds, such as fat-soluble vitamins, eicosanoids, lipoproteins, and glycolipids, also play unique roles to support various biological processes .

Fat-soluble Vitamins

Fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K, are required in minimal quantities, but their deficiencies can lead to severely abnormal physiological conditions. For example, vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness, dry skin, delayed growth, and infertility. Similarly, vitamin K deficiency can lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB), osteoporosis, and poor bone development. Vitamin D deficiency can cause muscle weakness, deformities in joints, and depression; vitamin E deficiency may lead to muscle and nerve damage.

Eicosanoids

Eicosanoids are a class of cell signaling molecules derived from arachidonic acid— a polyunsaturated fatty acid with 20 carbons. Eicosanoids include three types— prostaglandins, thromboxane, and leukotrienes. Prostaglandins are pivotal in initiating the inflammatory response, including pain, redness, and swelling at the injury site. Importantly, prostaglandins also act as vasodilators promoting blood flow and facilitating the entry of white blood cells at the injury site. Conversely, thromboxanes act as vasoconstrictors and initiate platelet aggregation at the injury site for subsequent clot formation. Leukotrienes, the third type of eicosanoids, promote the production of histamines and prostaglandins and generate contractions in the smooth muscles of the bronchioles.

Lipoproteins

Lipoproteins are involved in the transport of hydrophobic molecules, such as dietary lipids and fat-soluble vitamins, through blood circulation. Lipoproteins are categorized into five major types— chylomicrons, very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), intermediate density lipoproteins (IDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and high-density lipoproteins (HDL). Appropriate levels of lipoproteins are essential for good health. Elevated levels of LDL and HDL have been implicated in the onset of atherosclerosis, marked by plaque deposition in the arteries.