Eicosanoid

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Eicosanoid

Eicosanoids (pronounced: eye-koh-sah-noyds) are a group of lipid compounds that are derived from twenty-carbon fatty acids. They are primarily involved in inflammation, allergy, fever and other physiological processes.

Etymology

The term "Eicosanoid" is derived from the Greek word "Eicosa", which means twenty, and "oid", meaning like or similar to. This refers to the twenty-carbon structure of these compounds.

Types of Eicosanoids

There are three main types of eicosanoids:

Synthesis of Eicosanoids

Eicosanoids are synthesized from arachidonic acid, a twenty-carbon fatty acid. The process involves the action of enzymes such as cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX), which convert arachidonic acid into various eicosanoids.

Role in Disease

Eicosanoids play a significant role in various diseases. For instance, overproduction of certain eicosanoids can lead to excessive inflammation, which is a characteristic of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and asthma. On the other hand, some eicosanoids have protective effects, such as preventing blood clot formation in the cardiovascular system.

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