Free fatty acids terms Links

The terms NEFA, unesterified fatty acids, and free fatty acids have been used synonymously in the literature, although these fatty acids are mainly bound to plasma proteins. Enzymatic assays are convenient with NEFA in the presence of added acyl-coenzyme A (CoA) synthetase forming acyl CoA esters, which are then oxidized by acyl CoA oxidase to yield hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide produced is measured by a peroxidase-linked colorimetric detection reaction. Plasma samples should be separated promptly and stored frozen to prevent in vitro lipolysis (Zambon, Hashimoto, and Brunzell 1993). 

Although the term lipoprotein can describe any protein that is covalently linked to lipid groups (e.g., fatty acids or prenyl groups), it is most often used for a group of molecular complexes found in the blood plasma of mammals (especially humans). Plasma lipoproteins transport lipid molecules (triacylglycerols, phospholipids, and cholesterol) through the bloodstream from one organ to another. Lipoproteins also contain several types of lipid-soluble antioxidant molecules (e.g., a-tocopherol and several carotenoids). (The function of antioxidants, substances that protect biomolecules from free radicals, is described in Chapter 10.) The protein components of lipoproteins are called apolipoproteins or apoproteins. 

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