Fighting Inflammation

Small things make a big difference.

Eicosanoids

Eicosanoid Families

Eicosanoids are small, hormone-like molecules that bind to other cells. The eicosanoids are created inside the cell from the double layer of phospholipids (fat) in the walls of the cell. The eicosanoids are transported to the outside of the cell where they hook onto the outside of other cells at receptor sites. These phospholipid eicosanoids are created from the fats you eat. Some families of eicosanoids are more inflammatory than others.

Eicosanoids do the following:

  1. They increase the leakiness of the area so that white blood cells can move in.
  2. They attract white blood cells to come and remove the invaders.
  3. They increase the amount of blood and fluid entering an area and cause redness, swelling and warmth.
  4. They decrease the amount of blood that can leave an area by causing vasoconstriction.
  5. They signal pain.
  6. They signal the end of inflammation and the removal of old white blood cells.
  7. They can encourage the growth of other cells.
  8. They can errode or protect bone.
  9. They can affect the production of TNFa and Interleukin 4.
  10. They can affect the production of cytokines, chemokines, free radicals (ROS), and matrix metalloproteinases.
  11. They can affect the number of receptors on cells to chemokines.

There are many families of eicosanoids.The bold eicosanoids are thought to be create the most inflammation, but PGE2 and LTB4 are considered the most inflammatory. Aspirin, an anti-inflammatory, with the eicosanoids from fish oil are considered to be the most anti-inflammatory.

Eicosanoids from DGLA and AA, omega 6 fatty acids

  1. LXA series 4 (lipoxins) and aspirin LXA series 44
  2. LXB series 4 (lipoxins)
  3. LTB series 3,4 (leukotrines)
  4. LTC series 4 (leukotrines)
  5. LTD series 4 (leukotrines)
  6. LTE series 4 (leukotrines)
  7. PGE series 1,2 (prostaglandins)
  8. PGD series 2 (prostaglandins)
  9. PGF series 1, 2 (prostaglandins)
  10. PGH series 2 (prostaglandins)
  11. PGI series 2 (prostacyclin)
  12. PGG series 2 (prostaglandins)
  13. PGI series 2 (prostaglandins)
  14. TXA series 1,2 (thromboxanes)
  15. TXB series 2 (thromboxanes)
  16. 5HETE (hydroxy-eicosa-tetra-enoic acid)

Eicosanoids from DHA and EPA, omega 3 fatty acids

These eicosanoids created from these fatty acids are considered to be 100 times less inflammatory. Sources of EPA and DHA.

  1. PGE series 3 (prostaglandins)
  2. LTB series 5 (leukotrines)
  3. LTC series 5 (leukotrines)
  4. LTD series 5 (leukotrines)
  5. LTE series 5 (leukotrines)
  6. TXA series 3 (thromboxanes)
  7. Protectins
  8. Resolvins series E1-2, D1-4, A
  9. LXA, Lipoxins series
  10. TXA series 3 (Thromboxanes)

Aspirin and DHA

The eicosanoids from DHA combined with aspirin are very anti-inflammatory. Sources of DHA.

  1. ATLXa, Lipoxins series
  2. Resolvins series D1-4, E1-2 A
  3. Protectins F2a
  4. Ipf 2a series

Next, find out about histamine and cytokines or return home.

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