Pinolenic acid

Pinolenic acid (often misspelled as Pinoleic acid) is a fatty acid contained in the Korean Pine nut and the seeds of other conifers (Taxaceae). The highest percentage of pinolenic acid is found in Siberian pine nuts and the oil produced by them.

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Chemistry and biochemistry

Pinolenic acid is formally designated as all-cis-5,9,12-18:3.^{[1] [2]} Some sources also use the term columbinic acid for this substance.^[2] But columbinic acid sometimes designates an E-Z isomer (trans,cis,cis delta-5,9,12/18:3) in the biologic literature.^[3]

Pinolenic acid is an isomer of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). GLA is an ω-6 essential fatty acid (EFA) but pinolenic acid is not. However, like the EFAs, it forms biologically active metabolites in the presence of cyclooxygenase or lipoxygenase. These metabolites can partially relieve some of the symptoms of EFA deficiency.^[4]

Physiology

Recent research has shown its potential use in weight loss by curbing the appetite.^[5] Pinolenic acid causes the triggering of two hunger suppresants—cholecystokinin and glucagon-like peptides. Pinolenic acid may have LDL-lowering properties by enhancing hepatic LDL uptake.^[6] It is sometimes used as a pesticide.^[7]

References

1. ^ Cyberlipid Center. POLYENOIC FATTY ACIDS. Retrieved on 2007-10-24.
2. ^ ^{a b} PubChem. PubChem - CID 5312493. Retrieved on 2007-10-25.
3. ^ Tanaka T, Hattori T, Kouchi M, Hirano K, Satouchi K (1998). "Methylene-interrupted double bond in polyunsaturated fatty acid is an essential structure for metabolism by the fatty acid chain elongation system of rat liver". Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1393 (2-3): 299–306. PMID 9748638.
4. ^ Elliott WJ, Sprecher H, Needleman P (1985). "Physiologic effects of columbinic acid and its metabolites on rat skin". Biochim. Biophys. Acta 835 (1): 158–60. PMID 3924106.
5. ^ Korean pine nut may offer help for obesity. Retrieved on 2006-09-08.
6. ^ Lee JW, Lee KW, Lee SW, Kim IH, Rhee C. (Apr 2004). "Selective increase in pinolenic acid (all-cis-5,9,12-18:3) in Korean pine nut oil by crystallization and its effect on LDL-receptor activity.". Lipids 39 (4): 383-7. Retrieved on 2007-10-24.
7. ^ PAN Pesticides Database. Pinoleic acid - Identification, toxicity, use, water pollution potential, ecological toxicity and regulatory information. Retrieved on 2007-10-24.