dihomolinolenic

Dihomolinolenic acid is a polyunsaturated fatty acid. It is an omega-3 fatty acid with a chain length of 18 carbons and three double bonds. The double bonds are located at the 6, 9, and 12 positions from the carboxyl end. Its systematic name is (6Z,9Z,12Z)-octadecatrienoic acid. Dihomolinolenic acid is an isomer of alpha-linolenic acid and gamma-linolenic acid, which are also 18-carbon triene fatty acids.

This fatty acid is a precursor in the biosynthesis of certain eicosanoids, which are signaling molecules involved in various physiological processes. Specifically, dihomolinolenic acid can be elongated and desaturated to form longer-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids that are then metabolized by cyclooxygenases and lipoxygenases. While not as widely studied or prevalent as some other omega-3 fatty acids like alpha-linolenic acid or EPA and DHA, it plays a role in specific metabolic pathways. Its presence in the diet and endogenous production contribute to the overall fatty acid pool within biological systems.