Brenner R R
Arch Latinoam Nutr. 1983 Dec;33(4):735-47.
Essential fatty acids, in animals, pertain to two different fatty acid families: the linoleic and the linolenic. These, and the non-essential families of oleic and palmitoleic are produced by action of the enzymes proper. The lack of essential fatty acids produces typical symptoms that are accompanied by fatty acid compositions, also typical, utilized with diagnostic value. The biological effects of essential fatty acids can be specific and nonspecific. The latter manifest themselves particularly in the phospholipid composition and, therefore, in the structure and fluency of the membranes. In contrast, specific essential fatty acids act in the formation of prostaglandins, prostacyclins, tromboxans and leucotriens. Each essential fatty acid produces specific effects, depending on the prostanoids formed and the tissue in question.
在动物体内，必需脂肪酸属于两个不同的脂肪酸家族：亚油酸家族和亚麻酸家族。这些以及油酸和棕榈油酸的非必需脂肪酸家族是由特定酶的作用产生的。必需脂肪酸的缺乏会产生典型症状，同时伴有具有诊断价值的典型脂肪酸组成。必需脂肪酸的生物学效应可以是特异性的，也可以是非特异性的。后者尤其体现在磷脂组成中，进而体现在膜的结构和流动性上。相比之下，特定的必需脂肪酸在前列腺素、前列环素、血栓素和白三烯的形成中起作用。每种必需脂肪酸都会产生特定的效应，这取决于所形成的类前列腺素和相关组织。
