Lipid Mediators in Cardiovascular Physiology and Disease

Bioactive lipids have taken the center stage in the last decade as dynamic mediators of cellular signaling and regulation. Lipids can directly and indirectly modify cellular processes that are independent from their utilization as fuel or struc tural properties. Among those processes, bioactive lipids are strong mediators of both cardiac and vascular function through diverse mechanisms. One family of lip ids includes oxylipins, lipids derived from ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids such as arachi donic and linoleic acids. Oxylipins play an essential role in whole-body physiology and function including maintenance of cardiac health and vascular homeostasis through direct and indirect mechanisms such as oxylipin receptors or regulation of inflammation. Overactivation or chronic stimulation of oxylipin synthesis has been linked to atherosclerosis, endothelial dysfunction, fibroblast overactivation, myo cardial dysfunction, and immune cell activation. Thus, oxylipins are important lipid mediators of cardiovascular physiology and disease.