Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc. - Mead Acid for Prostaglandin

Mead Acid (20:3, n-9) is an unsaturated fatty acid which is a precursor in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins, thromboxanes and leukotrienes (the eicosanoids comprising the "arachidonic cascade"). Large quantities of Mead Acid are found in cartilage. Mead Acid can be converted to 3-series cysteinyl-leukotrienes but cannot serve as a COX substrate. The kidneys from essential fatty acid deficient rats are less immunogenic when transplanted, and the metabolites of eicosatrienoic acid are believed to play a role in altering the immune status of these organs. Research has shown that Mead Acid has immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. Mead Acid is also known as 5(Z),8(Z),11(Z)-Eicosatrienoic acid, cis,cis,cis-5,8,11-Eicosatrienoic acid, and (5Z,8Z,11Z)-Eicosa-5,8,11-trienoic acid.