Peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acid sidechains

The potential consequences of the peroxidation of membrane lipids include loss of polyunsaturated fatty acids, decreased lipid fluidity, altered membrane permeability, effects on membrane-associated enzymes, altered ion transport, release of material from subcellular compartments, and the generation of cytotoxic metabolites of lipid hydroperoxides. The physiological significance of lipid peroxidation products is shown in Table 1. 

Cleavage of the carbon bonds during lipid peroxidation reactions results in the formation of aldehydic products such as cytotoxic alkanals and alkenals, as well as alkanes. The breakdown products of lipid peroxidation, alkanals such 

Lipid peroxides (LOOH) stimulate prostaglandin synthesis by activating cyclo-oxygenase control cell proliferation and affect cell growth modulate the activity of phospholipases second messenger effects through the reduction of thiol groups to essential disulphides [19] 

Epoxy fatty acids affect hormone secretion 

4-Hydroxy alkenals affect adenylate cyclase activity and phospholipase C activities reduce cell growth and promote cell differentiation inhibit platelet aggregation block macrophage action block thiol group 

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