gms | German Medical Science

Figure

Figure 1: Eicosanoids synthesis pathways. Depending on the fatty acid content of cellular membranes lipid mediators with different pro-inflammatory potency or pro-resolving properties are generated from omega-3 or omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids via the cyclooxygenase or lipoxygenase pathway. Pro-inflammatory arachidonic acid (AA)-derived 5-series leukotrienes, 2-series prostanoids, and thromboxane A 2 and eicosapentaenoic acid derived 3-series prostanoids and 5-series leukotrienes with largely reduced inflammatory properties. Pro-resloving lipoxins derive from AA while resolvins and protectins are generated from EPA.