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Figure 2 | Lipids in Health and Disease

Figure 2

From: A defect in Δ6 and Δ5 desaturases may be a factor in the initiation and progression of insulin resistance, the metabolic syndrome and ischemic heart disease in South Asians

Figure 2

Scheme showing the consequences of a defect in the activity of enzymes Δ6 and Δ5 desaturases and their relationship to the development of low-grade systemic inflammation and insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, the metabolic syndrome, hypertension, atherosclerosis and IHD. Supplementation of various PUFAs, and the co-factors that arenecessary for the adequate formation of PGE1, PGI2, PGI3, lipoxins, resolvins, protectins, maresins, nitrolipids and endothelial nitric oxide are expected to prevent, halt or even reverse the low-grade systemic inflammation and help in the prevention and management of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, the metabolic syndrome, hypertension, atherosclerosis and IHD as shown in the figure. Green arrows indicate enhancement in the formation of PGE1, PGI2, PGI3, lipoxins, resolvins, protectins, maresins, nitrolipids and endothelial nitric oxide and prevention, halt and/or reversal of low-grade systemic inflammation, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, the metabolic syndrome, hypertension, atherosclerosis and IHD. Red arrows indicate how a defect in the activity of enzymes Δ6 and Δ5 desaturases could lead to a decrease in the formation of PGE1, PGI2, PGI3, lipoxins, resolvins, protectins, maresins, nitrolipids and endothelial nitric oxide and initiation and progression of low-grade systemic inflammation, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, the metabolic syndrome, hypertension, atherosclerosis and IHD.

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Lipids in Health and Disease

ISSN: 1476-511X