ABSTRACT
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), such as eicosapentaenioc acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have many physiological functions. Recent studies have shown that phospholipids containing PUFA as an acyl chain (PUFA-PL) exhibit novel functions other than the functionalities of PUFA itself.1-6
It has been reported that phosphatidylcholine (PC) with DHA in the sn-2 position exhibits increased cell membrane permeability,7 antitumor activity,8 cytotoxicity,9,10 and modulation of class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC I) structure.11 Dietary phospholipids containing EPA was shown to decrease the weight of adipose tissue of rats.12 These properties of PUFA-PLs have resulted in exploring their role in nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and medical fields. It has been shown through those studies that molecular species, polar head group, and fatty acid-binding position are also important in expressing the biological functions of PUFA-PLs. Increased understanding of the functions of PUFA-PLs at the molecular level would progress the exploitation and application of PUFA-PLs for health benefits.
