to gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) by the action of a cellular enzyme delta-6-desaturase. GLA rapidly converts to dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA). DGLA produces many desirable eicosanoids with strong anti-inflammatory effects. However, DGLA is also the substrate for the delta-5-desaturase enzyme that produces arachidonic acid.
Arachidonic acid is converted by both platelet cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and the inflammatory enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) into the powerful and dangerous thromboxane A2. Thromboxane A2 makes platelets sticky, leading to blood clots, and causes blood vessels to constrict, raising blood pressure. Thromboxane A2 rapidly converts in the blood to inactive thromboxane B2, which is metabolized by the liver to 11-dehydrothromboxane B2 and is filtered by the kidneys into the urine.
Treating Chronic Inflammation?
The effectiveness of dietary and lifestyle improvements can be monitored using the chronic inflammation test
Prescription drugs and integrative therapies used individually or in combination can have powerful effects. Initiation or change of any treatment must be under the direction of a licensed healthcare professional.
Dietary Omega-6 fatty acids like arachidonic acid initiate a cascade of events that end with inflammation. The Omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) compete with arachidonic acid to reduce chronic inflammation. Reducing arachidonic acid and regulating its activity is essential to the prevention, control or elimination of chronic inflammation.
Chronic inflammation may be prevented or reduced by selecting foods rich in EPA and DGLA that reduce arachidonic acid production and effect. Diet may be enhanced with supplements, for example, fish oil rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. Exercise can reduce production of cytokines that trigger arachidonic acid metabolism, and weight loss may reduce the number of cytokine-producing fat cells.
Dietary changes take time and discipline. Many integrative therapies have been shown to reduce cylooxgenase-2 activity.
In all cases, progress may be monitored in regular intervals using the chronic inflammation test to measure 11-dehydrothromboxane B2.