Docosahexaenoic acid 1,2,3,4-13C (DHA 1,2,3,4-13C) is intended for use as an internal standard for the quantification of DHA by GC- or LC-MS. DHA is a long-chain ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) found in fish and algal oils.1 It comprises approximately 40% of total brain PUFAs and is abundant in grey matter and retinal membranes.2 DHA typically represents 0.52-7.5% of human total plasma fatty acids. It is produced from α-linolenic acid via a series of desaturase- and elongase-catalyzed reactions, resulting in a docosapentaenoic acid intermediate, which is elongated, desaturated, and β-oxidized to produce DHA.3 DHA can be liberated from cellular membranes by phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and converted to numerous oxylipins, including specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs), which are produced by lipoxygenases and include D-series protectins and resolvins, as well as maresins, that regulate host defense and the resolution of inflammation.4 DHA has roles in several physiological and pathological processes, including neural development, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and inflammation.3,5
1.Kuratko, C.N., and Salem, N., Jr.Biomarkers of DHA statusProstaglandins Leukot. Essent. Fatty Acids81(2-3)111-118(2009) 2.Lacombe, R.J.S., Chouinard-Watkins, R., and Bazinet, R.P.Brain docosahexaenoic acid uptake and metabolismMol. Aspects Med.64109-134(2018) 3.Calder, P.C.Docosahexaenoic acidAnn. Nutr. Metab.69(Suppl 1)7-21(2016) 4.Basil, B.C., and Levy, B.D.Specialized pro-resolving mediators: Endogenous regulators of infection and inflammationNat. Rev. Immunol.16(1)51-67(2016) 5.Arnoldussen, I.A.C., and Kiliaan, A.J.Impact of DHA on metabolic diseases from womb to tombMar. Drugs12(12)6190-6212(2014)