Docosahexaenoic acid tissue distribution

Similar studies of lipid peroxidation products have been performed for other substrate lipids. Of particular interest are oxidation produets of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which have been termed F4-neuroprostanes (F4-NeuroPs) (Roberts et al, 1998). In contrast to AA, which is evenly distributed in all eell types in all tissues, DHA is highly eoneentrated in neuronal membranes (Salem et al, 1986 Montine et al, 2004). Thus, determination of F4-NeuroPs permits the speeifle quantifleation of oxidative damage to neuronal membranes in vivo (Montine et al, 2004). In faet, to our knowledge, F4-NeuroPs are the only quantitative in vivo marker of oxidative damage that is selective for neurons. 

Omega-3 (also referred to as co-3 or n-3) fatty acids are a family of compounds, widely distributed in animal tissues and plants, which should be used in functional foods since they play a critical role in human health. The main n-3 fatty acids in food sources are a-linolenic acid (ALA 18 3n-3), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA 22 6n-3), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA 20 5n-3) and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA 22 5n-3). 

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