Canadian Medical Guide > Chemicals and Drugs > Lipids > Fatty Acids > Fatty Acids, Unsaturated > Eicosanoids Terms and Definitions

Eicosanoids

Medical Definition:	A class of compounds named after and generally derived from C20 fatty acids (EICOSANOIC ACIDS) that includes PROSTAGLANDINS; LEUKOTRIENES; THROMBOXANES, and HYDROXYEICOSATETRAENOIC ACIDS. They have hormone-like effects mediated by specialized receptors (RECEPTORS, EICOSANOID).
Guide Notes:	GEN or unspecified; prefer specifics
Previously Indexed:	Arachidonic Acids (1967-1989),Fatty Acids, Unsaturated (1973-1989),Leukotrienes (1989),Prostaglandins (1966-1989),Thromboxanes (1978-1989)

Eicosanoids Categories.

	5,8,11,14-Eicosatetraynoic Acid - A 20-carbon unsaturated fatty acid containing 4 alkyne bonds. It inhibits the enzymatic conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins E(2) and F(2a).
	8,11,14-Eicosatrienoic Acid - A 20-carbon-chain fatty acid, unsaturated at positions 8, 11, and 14. It differs from arachidonic acid, 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid, only at position 5.
	Lipoxins - Trihydroxy derivatives of eicosanoic acids. They are primarily derived from arachidonic acid, however eicosapentaenoic acid derivatives also exist. Many of them are naturally occuring mediators of immune regulation.

Eicosanoids Medical Definitions and Terms

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