Abstract
The identification of two biologically active fatty acid amides, N-arachidonoylethanolamine (anandamide) and oleamide, has generated a great deal of excitement and stimulated considerable research. However, anandamide and oleamide are merely the best-known and best-understood members of a much larger family of biologically occurring fatty acid amides. In this review, we will outline which fatty acid amides have been isolated from mammalian sources, detail what is known about how these molecules are made and degraded in vivo, and highlight their potential for the development of novel therapeutics.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Amides / chemistry
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Amides / metabolism
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Amides / pharmacology
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Amino Acids, Aromatic / chemistry
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Amino Acids, Aromatic / metabolism
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Amino Acids, Aromatic / pharmacology
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Animals
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Arachidonic Acids / biosynthesis
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Arachidonic Acids / metabolism
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Arachidonic Acids / pharmacology
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Dopamine / analogs & derivatives
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Dopamine / pharmacology
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Endocannabinoids
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Fatty Acids / biosynthesis*
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Fatty Acids / metabolism
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Fatty Acids / pharmacology*
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Humans
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Oleic Acids / biosynthesis
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Oleic Acids / metabolism
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Oleic Acids / pharmacology
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Polyunsaturated Alkamides / metabolism
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Polyunsaturated Alkamides / pharmacology
Substances
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Amides
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Amino Acids, Aromatic
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Arachidonic Acids
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Endocannabinoids
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Fatty Acids
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Oleic Acids
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Polyunsaturated Alkamides
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oleylamide
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anandamide
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Dopamine