Why Are Free Fatty Acids Important?

During biological reactions, fat acids can be transformed into energy. FFAs (medium- and long-chain) are derived mainly from diet cholesterol. SCFAs are also produced by microbiological fermentation in the gut. Recent research has shown that FFAs not only provide energy but also act as natural ligands to a class of G protein-coupled regulators called free-fatty acid receptors (FFARs). These receptors can be connected in many ways to metabolism, immunity, inflammation regulation and secretion of hormones. There are many FFARs that are stimulated by FFAs with different length chains. FFAR1 and FFAR4 are respectively activated by long-chain saturated fat acid and unsaturated fat oils, as well as unsaturated fatty acids FFAR3 & FFAR2. They also activated by butyrate & acetate. This latest study will review the physiological and functional roles of FFAR-mediated signals to regulate the immune system, metabolism, and. Future research opportunities are being e...