arachidonic acid
/əˌrakɪˈdɒnɪk
/noun [mass noun] Biochemistry
A polyunsaturated fatty acid present in animal fats. It is important in metabolism, especially in the synthesis of prostaglandins and leukotrienes, and is an essential constituent of the diet.
- Alternative name: eicosa-5,8,11,14-enoic acid; chemical formula: C19H31COOH.
- Psoriatic plaques have been shown to increase arachidonic acid and leukotriene levels compared to normal skin.
- The fats in animal products break down into arachidonic acid, a pro-inflammatory fatty acid.
Origin
Early 20th century: arachidonic formed irregularly from arachidic (a saturated fatty acid) from Latin arachis, see arachis oil, + -one + -ic.
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