Contribution of bioactive lipid mediators in neuroinflammation, resolution, and neuroprotection

Phospholipids, sphingolipids, and cholesterol are important molecules that perform diverse functions. Phospholipids contain both saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Among PUFA, DHA and ARA are essential fatty acids. EPA and DHA are precursors for lipid mediators, such as resolvins, protectins, neuroprotectin, and maresins. These metabolites produce antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects. In contrast, ARA produces prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and thromboxanes, which induce proinflammatory and proapoptotic effects. Sphingolipids produce ceramide and sphingosine 1-phosphate. These metabolites contribute to neural cell survival and neural inflammatory effects. Cholesterol produces several hydroxycholesterols and 7-ketocholesterol. These metabolites are associated with oxidative stress and neural cell death.