A 20‐carbon essential fatty acid that contains four double bonds (5, 8, II, 14‐ eicosatetraenoic acid); the precursor of prostaglandins, prostacyclins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes.
Along chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (C20:4 006).
A 20-carbon atom of fatty acid with four double bonds. In the body, it is synthesized from the essential fatty acid, linoleic acid.
Long chain fatty acid having four double bonds and 20 carbons.
C20H32O2; an essential fatty acid formed by the action of enzymes on phospholipids in cell membranes. It is metabolized primarily by the cyclo-oxygenase or 5-lipoxygenase pathways to produce prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which are important mediators of inflammation. Corticosteroids inhibit formation of arachidonic acid from phospholipids when cell membranes are damaged. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents such as salicylates, indomethacin, and ibuprofen inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Arachidonic acid is found in many foods.
One of the vital fatty acids necessary for growth in the body is called an essential fatty acid.