Fig 3.

Genes involved in fatty acid desaturation and elongation. The sites of action of ∆9, ∆6, and ∆5 desaturases, and of elongation (e), are shown. The ∆6 and ∆5 desaturase enzymes are encoded by FADS2 and FADS1, respectively. * Denotes alternative pathways via ∆8 desaturase which have been demonstrated in mammals by Park et al 2009 ¹⁶. The dotted boxes illustrate that AA, EPA and DHA are precursors of eicosanoids and similar mediators (e.g., docosanoids) and hence influence inflammatory processes as previously reported ¹⁷, ¹⁸. Fatty acids or desaturases elevated in VAT (compared with SAT) in this study are shown in red, and those in blue are lower in VAT compared with SAT.