y-Linolenic Acid methyl ester

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are essential nutrients that show distinct deficiency syndromes when not present in adequate amounts in the diet.{5525,8460} ?-Linolenic Acid methyl ester (Methyl GLA) is an esterified version of the free acid which is less water soluble but more amenable for the formulation of GLA-containing diets and dietary supplements. GLA is an ?-6 fatty acid which can be elongated to arachidonic acid for endogenous eicosanoid synthesis. It is a weak leukotriene B4 (LTB4) receptor antagonist, inhibiting [3H]-LTB4 binding to porcine neutrophil membranes with a Ki of 1 µM.{2361} GLA produces 53% inhibition at a 1 mg/kg dose in an in vivo model of LTB4-induced bronchoconstriction.{2361}