Review paper
Metabolism of unsaturated fatty acids and their importance in circulatory system prophylaxis and therapy

Fats are a basic, highly energetic component of food. The composition of fatty acids in the daily diet is of special importance, in particular the ratio between the saturated and mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids. The n-3 and n-6 unsaturated fatty acids are impossible to synthesize; thus they must be supplied in the diet. The two basic fatty acids are: a-linolenic acid – a precursor to eicosapentaenoic acid and to docosahexaenoic acid – and linoleic acid – a precursor to arachidonic acid. Human organisms must be supplied with unsaturated fatty acids, because they determine their proper functions. Traumatic acid (TA, trans-2-dodeceno-1,10-dicarboxylic acid), which is a wound hormone in plants, can be an alternative source of essential unsaturated fatty acids. It is synthesized from polyunsaturated fatty acids: linolenic and linoleic. TA stimulates cell division and wound healing. TA induces the tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins. TA biosynthesis in plants is a similar process to fatty acids w-oxidation in animals. This process provides energy for cells. Non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) act as second messengers of signals from the extracellular matrix. They act through many different signal transduction pathways. NEFA are involved in two main signal transduction pathways from the hydrophilic cell membrane surface to the hydrophobic nucleus interior. Fatty acids (and probably TA) can directly or indirectly influence on certain gene expression.