Branched fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids (FAHFAs) are endogenous lipids found in adipose tissue and serum that correlate with insulin sensitivity and are reduced in insulin-resistant humans. Structurally, they are characterized by a branched ester linkage between a fatty acid and a hydroxy-fatty acid. Different positions of the branched ester on the hydroxy fatty acid results in different isomers. FAHFA(22:6(4Z,7Z,10Z,13Z,16Z,19Z)/13-O-18:2(9Z,11E)), in particular, is formed from the condensation of the carboxy group of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) with the hydroxy group of 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid. It is alternatively named 13-DHAHLA since it is the 13-hydroxy isomer of the DHAHLA (docosahexaenoic acid-hydroxylinoleic acid) family.
Belongs to the class of organic compounds known as lineolic acids and derivatives. These are derivatives of lineolic acid. Lineolic acid is a polyunsaturated omega-6 18 carbon long fatty acid, with two CC double bonds at the 9- and 12-positions.
