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Related Concept Videos

What are Lipids?01:38

What are Lipids?

Overview
Membrane Fluidity01:23

Membrane Fluidity

Cell membranes are composed of phospholipids, proteins, and carbohydrates loosely attached to one another through chemical interactions. Molecules are generally able to move about in the plane of the membrane, giving the membrane its flexible nature called fluidity. Two other features of the membrane contribute to membrane fluidity: the chemical structure of the phospholipids and the presence of cholesterol in the membrane.Fatty acids tails of phospholipids can be either saturated or...
Membrane Fluidity01:26

Membrane Fluidity

Membrane fluidity is explained by the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane, which describes the plasma membrane structure as a mosaic of components—including phospholipids, cholesterol, proteins, and carbohydrates—that gives the membrane a fluid character.
Mosaic nature of the membrane
The mosaic characteristic of the membrane helps the plasma membrane remain fluid. The integral proteins and lipids exist as separate but loosely-attached molecules in the membrane. The membrane is a relatively...
Overview of Fatty Acid Metabolism01:28

Overview of Fatty Acid Metabolism

Lipids also are sources of energy that power cellular processes. Like carbohydrates, lipids are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, but these atoms are arranged differently. Most lipids are nonpolar and hydrophobic. Major types include fats and oils, waxes, phospholipids, and steroids.
Fatty acids are catabolized in a process called beta-oxidation, which takes place in the matrix of the mitochondria and converts their fatty acid chains into two-carbon units of acetyl groups. The acetyl...
What are Lipids?01:31

What are Lipids?

Lipids function as structural components of cellular membranes, in addition to acting as energy reservoirs and signaling molecules. They are thus crucial to all living organisms.  The three biologically important classes of lipids are triglycerides, phospholipids, and steroids.
Non-Polar and Hydrophobic Characteristics of Lipids
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Lipid-derived Compounds in the Human Body01:31

Lipid-derived Compounds in the Human Body

Fats and lipids are crucial components in the human body. Some lipid-derived compounds, such as fat-soluble vitamins, eicosanoids, lipoproteins, and glycolipids, also play unique roles to support various  biological processes .
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Fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K, are required in minimal quantities, but their deficiencies can lead to severely abnormal physiological conditions. For example, vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness, dry skin, delayed...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Profiling the Triacylglyceride Contents in Bat Integumentary Lipids by Preparative Thin Layer Chromatography and MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry
09:18

Profiling the Triacylglyceride Contents in Bat Integumentary Lipids by Preparative Thin Layer Chromatography and MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

Published on: September 5, 2013

Fatty acids are required for epidermal permeability barrier function

M Mao-Qiang1, P M Elias, K R Feingold

  • 1Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco 94143.

The Journal of Clinical Investigation
|August 1, 1993
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Epidermal fatty acid synthesis is crucial for skin barrier repair. Inhibiting this process with TOFA delays recovery, but adding fatty acids like palmitate restores normal skin barrier function.

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Published on: May 28, 2021

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Biochemistry
  • Skin Biology

Background:

  • The skin's permeability barrier relies on stratum corneum lipids, including ceramides, sterols, and free fatty acids.
  • While cholesterol and ceramides are known essential lipids, the role of nonessential fatty acids in barrier function is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if epidermal fatty acid synthesis is necessary for maintaining skin barrier homeostasis.
  • To determine the impact of inhibiting fatty acid synthesis on skin barrier recovery after disruption.

Main Methods:

  • Disrupted the skin barrier using acetone or tape stripping.
  • Applied 5-(tetradecyloxy)-2-furancarboxylic acid (TOFA), an acetyl CoA carboxylase inhibitor, to block epidermal fatty acid synthesis.
  • Administered palmitate alongside TOFA to assess its effect on barrier recovery.

Main Results:

  • TOFA treatment inhibited epidermal fatty acid synthesis by ~50% and significantly delayed skin barrier recovery.
  • Co-administration of palmitate with TOFA normalized barrier recovery, suggesting a deficiency in bulk fatty acids.
  • TOFA disrupted lipid return to the stratum corneum, affected lamellar body structure, and impaired lamellar bilayer organization.

Conclusions:

  • Epidermal fatty acid synthesis is essential for skin barrier homeostasis.
  • Inhibiting the synthesis of key stratum corneum lipids, including fatty acids, impairs barrier function.
  • Restoring fatty acid levels can correct structural abnormalities and improve barrier recovery.