In the human brain, palmitic acid (16:0; PAM) comprises nearly half of total brain saturates and has been identified as the third most abundant fatty acid overall. Brain PAM supports the structure of membrane phospholipids, provides energy, and regulates protein stability. Sources underlying the origin of brain PAM are both diet and endogenous synthesis via de novo lipogenesis (DNL), primarily from glucose. However, studies investigating the origin of brain PAM are limited to tracer studies utilizing labelled (14C/11C/3H/2H) PAM, and results vary based on the model and tracer used. Nevertheless, there is evidence PAM is synthesized locally in the brain, in addition to obtained directly from the diet. Herein, we provide an overview of brain PAM origin, entry to the brain, metabolic fate, and factors influencing brain PAM kinetics and levels, the latter in the context of age, as well as neurological diseases and psychiatric disorders. Additionally, we briefly summarize the role of PAM in signaling at the level of the brain. We add to the literature a rudimentary summary on brain PAM metabolism.

中文翻译：

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解开大脑棕榈酸：起源、水平和代谢命运


在人脑中，棕榈酸 （16：0;PAM） 占总脑饱和物的近一半，已被确定为总体上第三丰富的脂肪酸。Brain PAM 支持膜磷脂的结构，提供能量，并调节蛋白质稳定性。脑 PAM 起源的来源是饮食和通过从头脂肪生成 （DNL） 的内源性合成，主要来自葡萄糖。然而，调查脑 PAM 起源的研究仅限于使用标记 （14C/11C/3H/2H） PAM 的示踪剂研究，结果因使用的模型和示踪剂而异。尽管如此，有证据表明 PAM 除了直接从饮食中获得外，还在大脑局部合成。在此，我们概述了大脑 PAM 起源、进入大脑、代谢命运以及影响大脑 PAM 动力学和水平的因素，后者在年龄以及神经系统疾病和精神疾病的背景下。此外，我们简要总结了 PAM 在大脑水平信号传导中的作用。我们在文献中添加了关于脑 PAM 代谢的基本总结。