Essential Fatty Acid Metabolic Pathway (EFA Pathway)

The essential fatty acid (EFA) metabolic pathway is a series of biochemical processes by which essential fatty acids—primarily linoleic acid (LA, an omega-6 fatty acid) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, an omega-3 fatty acid)—are metabolized in the body into longer-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and their bioactive derivatives. These EFAs are termed "essential" because humans cannot synthesize them de novo and must obtain them from dietary sources. The pathway involves desaturation and elongation reactions, ultimately leading to the production of eicosanoids, resolvins, and other mediators that play crucial roles in inflammation, cell signaling, and gene expression. Altered EFA metabolism is implicated in various diseases including cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, and cancer.

Other names

Linoleic Acid MetabolismAlpha-Linolenic Acid MetabolismOmega-6 Fatty Acid MetabolismOmega-3 Fatty Acid MetabolismPolyunsaturated Fatty Acid Metabolism

Drugs targeting enzymes within the pathway (e.g., COX inhibitors) modulate the production of bioactive lipids (e.g., prostaglandins, thromboxanes). Statins can indirectly affect the pathway by influencing lipid metabolism and HMG-CoA reductase activity.