arachidonic acid

noun

ar·​a·​chi·​don·​ic acid ˌa-rə-kə-ˈdä-nik- 

ˌer-ə-

: a liquid unsaturated fatty acid C₂₀H₃₂O₂ that occurs in most animal fats, is a precursor of prostaglandins, and is considered essential in animal nutrition

Examples of arachidonic acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Bobbie Baby Organic Powder Infant Formula also has arachidonic acid (ARA), which is another fatty acid that, together with DHA,6 supports infant growth and development. —Lainey Younkin, Ms, Rd, Parents, 15 Mar. 2024

Bobbie Baby Organic Powder Infant Formula also has arachidonic acid (ARA), which is another fatty acid that, together with DHA, supports infant growth and development. —Lainey Younkin, Ms, Rd, Parents, 15 Mar. 2024

But too many of these fatty acids can cause inflammation when the body ultimately breaks them down into arachidonic acid, which lowers the body’s pain threshold. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 12 Oct. 2022

According to PetMD, cats also need higher proportions of protein in their diet than dogs, as well as taurine, arachidonic acid, vitamin A and niacin. —Jacob Livesay, USA TODAY, 22 July 2022

But the concentrations of vitamin A and arachidonic acid weren't even measured. —Marta Zaraska, chicagotribune.com, 10 July 2019

There is arachidonic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid the body uses to make pro-inflammatory local hormones. —Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 3 May 2018

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Arachid-, Arachis + English -onic (as in gluconic acid)

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

arachidonic acid

noun

ar·​a·​chi·​don·​ic acid ˌar-ə-kə-ˌdän-ik- 

: a liquid unsaturated fatty acid C₂₀H₃₂O₂ that occurs in most animal fats, is a precursor of prostaglandins and leukotrienes, and is considered essential in animal nutrition

In a biological system for the regulation of various cell functions, arachidonic acid plays a unique role as a precursor molecule which is transformed into potent mediators with far-ranging effects.

—Bengt Samuelsson, Science

The prostaglandins and the leukotrienes share a common origin. They are derived, by two different enzymatic pathways, from arachidonic acid, which is formed in cells whose cell membrane has been disrupted.

—Paul D. Buisseret, Scientific American

Fish and other vertebrates also rely on arachidonic acid, another fat, to make compounds for managing stress and immunity.

—Janet Raloff, Science News

Pulmonary hypertension is thought to be due to activation and release of vasoactive mediators, including arachidonic acid metabolites, accompanied by diffuse pulmonary microvascular thrombosis

—Harriet Kitzman et al., The Journal of the American Medical Association

—abbreviation AA, ARA