Nitro-fatty acid formation and metabolism.

Nitro-fatty acids (NO-FA) are pleiotropic modulators of redox signaling pathways. Their effects on inflammatory signaling have been studied in great detail in cell, animal and clinical models primarily using exogenously administered nitro-oleic acid. While we know a considerable amount regarding NO-FA signaling, endogenous formation and metabolism is relatively unexplored. This review will cover what is currently known regarding the proposed mechanisms of NO-FA formation, dietary modulation of endogenous NO-FA levels, pathways of NO-FA metabolism and the detection of NO-FA and corresponding metabolites.