DHA is researched as having numerous benefits. I particularly like the published cognitive as well as longevity benefits. Looking at DHA as an engineerable molecule what kinds of things make a new better version
well DHA is 22 carbon atoms long with 6 C=C links. (so they call that a 22:6 lipid) I think I have read that the greater membrane fluidity from the C=C links permits greater lability or movement ability of the lipid. Supporting that idea is that cool dwellers like ocean fish make more highly fluid lipids as adaptions to their environment
DHA at wikipedia http://en.wikipedia....ahexaenoic_acid
More C=C
Thus we would like to see a 22:7 or 22:8 lipid that has even greater flexibility given to a test mammal or even genetically engineered testy organism to see if it has even greater benefits than DHA.
Littler hydrocarbon
Fewer carbons make hydrocarbons as well as lipids more flexible. Thus It is possible that the more flexible 21:6 version of DHA, D21HA that has one fewer carbons may be even more effective. Duplicating any of the DHA supplementation studies with D21HA to see if it gives even greater benefit would be a way of creating even greater benefit.
The desaturation (C=C) at the right place
When you think about it, the 3' or OH part actually links to particular cytostructures. Visualize a receptor or lipid raft that always associates with the 3' area. Possibly a G coupled protein receptor is particularly receptive if it is suported with highly flexible lipids then we could suggest a novel lipid like
C=C=C=C-C-C=C-C=C-C=C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-COOH
That has a superswivel right where the lipid associates with the receptor giving the receptor greater responsiveness. This is still a 22:6 lipid, so we might prefer to give the superswivel lipid all of the orginal flexibility along its length creating
C=C=C=C-C=C-C=C-C-C=C-C-C=C-C-C=C-C-C-COOH
which is just DHA with a superswivel at the 3'
Thus these three new fatty acids are possible longevity as well as cognition nutrients.
Scientific lipid research site http://www.cyberlipi...ip/home0001.htm
Edited by treonsverdery, 10 January 2012 - 09:12 PM.
