The effects of gamma-linolenic acid on breast pain and diabetic neuropathy: possible non-eicosanoid mechanisms. 1993

D F Horrobin
Efamol Research Institute, Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) has recently been found to be beneficial in the management of breast pain and of diabetic neuropathy. GLA is a precursor of unsaturated fatty acids which are important in membrane structures, as second messengers in their own right and as precursors of eicosanoids. While the mechanisms of GLA action are likely to be complex, non-eicosanoid effects are probably of substantial importance. These effects include modification of membrane fluidity and of the functions of lipid-associated receptors and changes in the inositol cycle.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008041 Linoleic Acids Eighteen-carbon essential fatty acids that contain two double bonds. Acids, Linoleic
D008042 Linolenic Acids Eighteen-carbon essential fatty acids that contain three double bonds.
D008297 Male Males
D008560 Membrane Fluidity The motion of phospholipid molecules within the lipid bilayer, dependent on the classes of phospholipids present, their fatty acid composition and degree of unsaturation of the acyl chains, the cholesterol concentration, and temperature. Bilayer Fluidity,Bilayer Fluidities,Fluidities, Bilayer,Fluidities, Membrane,Fluidity, Bilayer,Fluidity, Membrane,Membrane Fluidities
D008954 Models, Biological Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment. Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D010146 Pain An unpleasant sensation induced by noxious stimuli which are detected by NERVE ENDINGS of NOCICEPTIVE NEURONS. Suffering, Physical,Ache,Pain, Burning,Pain, Crushing,Pain, Migratory,Pain, Radiating,Pain, Splitting,Aches,Burning Pain,Burning Pains,Crushing Pain,Crushing Pains,Migratory Pain,Migratory Pains,Pains, Burning,Pains, Crushing,Pains, Migratory,Pains, Radiating,Pains, Splitting,Physical Suffering,Physical Sufferings,Radiating Pain,Radiating Pains,Splitting Pain,Splitting Pains,Sufferings, Physical
D010938 Plant Oils Oils derived from plants or plant products. Oils, Plant,Oils, Vegetable,Plant Oil,Vegetable Oil,Vegetable Oils,Oil, Plant,Oil, Vegetable
D011956 Receptors, Cell Surface Cell surface proteins that bind signalling molecules external to the cell with high affinity and convert this extracellular event into one or more intracellular signals that alter the behavior of the target cell (From Alberts, Molecular Biology of the Cell, 2nd ed, pp693-5). Cell surface receptors, unlike enzymes, do not chemically alter their ligands. Cell Surface Receptor,Cell Surface Receptors,Hormone Receptors, Cell Surface,Receptors, Endogenous Substances,Cell Surface Hormone Receptors,Endogenous Substances Receptors,Receptor, Cell Surface,Surface Receptor, Cell
D001941 Breast Diseases Pathological processes of the BREAST. Endocrine Breast Diseases,Breast Disease,Breast Disease, Endocrine,Breast Diseases, Endocrine,Disease, Breast,Disease, Endocrine Breast,Diseases, Breast,Diseases, Endocrine Breast,Endocrine Breast Disease
D003929 Diabetic Neuropathies Peripheral, autonomic, and cranial nerve disorders that are associated with DIABETES MELLITUS. These conditions usually result from diabetic microvascular injury involving small blood vessels that supply nerves (VASA NERVORUM). Relatively common conditions which may be associated with diabetic neuropathy include third nerve palsy (see OCULOMOTOR NERVE DISEASES); MONONEUROPATHY; mononeuropathy multiplex; diabetic amyotrophy; a painful POLYNEUROPATHY; autonomic neuropathy; and thoracoabdominal neuropathy. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p1325) Diabetic Amyotrophy,Diabetic Autonomic Neuropathy,Diabetic Neuralgia,Diabetic Polyneuropathy,Neuralgia, Diabetic,Asymmetric Diabetic Proximal Motor Neuropathy,Diabetic Asymmetric Polyneuropathy,Diabetic Mononeuropathy,Diabetic Mononeuropathy Simplex,Diabetic Neuropathy, Painful,Mononeuropathy, Diabetic,Symmetric Diabetic Proximal Motor Neuropathy,Amyotrophies, Diabetic,Amyotrophy, Diabetic,Asymmetric Polyneuropathies, Diabetic,Asymmetric Polyneuropathy, Diabetic,Autonomic Neuropathies, Diabetic,Autonomic Neuropathy, Diabetic,Diabetic Amyotrophies,Diabetic Asymmetric Polyneuropathies,Diabetic Autonomic Neuropathies,Diabetic Mononeuropathies,Diabetic Mononeuropathy Simplices,Diabetic Neuralgias,Diabetic Neuropathies, Painful,Diabetic Neuropathy,Diabetic Polyneuropathies,Mononeuropathies, Diabetic,Mononeuropathy Simplex, Diabetic,Mononeuropathy Simplices, Diabetic,Neuralgias, Diabetic,Neuropathies, Diabetic,Neuropathies, Diabetic Autonomic,Neuropathies, Painful Diabetic,Neuropathy, Diabetic,Neuropathy, Diabetic Autonomic,Neuropathy, Painful Diabetic,Painful Diabetic Neuropathies,Painful Diabetic Neuropathy,Polyneuropathies, Diabetic,Polyneuropathies, Diabetic Asymmetric,Polyneuropathy, Diabetic,Polyneuropathy, Diabetic Asymmetric,Simplex, Diabetic Mononeuropathy,Simplices, Diabetic Mononeuropathy

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