Dihomo-?-linolenic acid (DGLA) is a 20-carbon ?-6 fatty acid. In physiological literature, it is given the name 20:3 (?-6). Chemically, DGLA is a carboxylic acid with a 20-carbon chain and three cis double bonds; the first double bond is located at the sixth carbon from the omega end. DGLA is the elongation product of ?-linolenic acid (GLA; 18:3, ?-6).
All of these effects are anti-inflammatory. This is in marked contrast with the analogous metabolites of arachidonic acid (AA) which are the series-2 thromboxanes and prostanoids and the series-4 leukotrienes. In addition to yielding anti-inflammatory eicosanoids, DGLA competes with AA for COX and lipoxygenase, inhibiting the production of AA's eicosanoids.
Taken orally in a small study, DGLA produced antithrombotic effects.[3] Supplementing dietary GLA increases serum DGLA without increasing serum AA.[4]
Borage is a rich source of ?-linolenic acid—the dietary precursor to DGLA.
^ Kernoff PB, Willis AL, Stone KJ, Davies JA, McNicol GP (1977). "Antithrombotic potential of dihomo-?-linolenic acid in man". British medical journal2 (6100): 1441–4. PMID 338112.
^ Johnson MM, Swan DD, Surette ME, et al (1997). "Dietary supplementation with ?-linolenic acid alters fatty acid content and eicosanoid production in healthy humans". J. Nutr.127 (8): 1435–44. PMID 9237935.
