Saturated fatty acids are synthesized by both plants and animals from acetyl coenzyme A as a form of long-term energy storage. Palmitic acid is a common 16-carbon saturated fat that represents 10-20% of the normal human dietary fat intake, and approximately 25% of the total plasma fatty acids in plasma lipoproteins.1 Saturated free fatty acids induce the expression of cyclooxygenase-2.2 Palmitic acid methyl ester (MP) is a fatty acid ester whose concentration in cells is modulated by methanol. In studies with isolated Kupffer cells, MP inhibits phagocytosis and decreases cell viability. In cells treated with lipopolysaccharide, it also decreases secretion of interleukin-10, TNF-α, nitric oxide, and prostaglandin E2. This effect is thought to occur by the inhibition of NF-κB.3
1
Santos, M.J., López-Jurado, M., Llopis, J., et al. Influence of dietary supplementation with fish oil on plasma fatty acid composition in coronary heart disease patients. Ann Nutr Metab3952-62(1995).
2
Lee, J.Y., Sohn, K.H., Rhee, S.H., et al. Saturated fatty acids, but not unsaturated fatty acids, induced the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 mediated through toll-like receptor 4. J Biol Chem276(20)16683-16689(2001).
3
Cai, P., Kaphalia, B.S., and Ansari, G.A.S. Methyl palmitate: Inhibitor of phagocytosis in primary rat Kupffer cells. Toxicology210197-204(2005).
Synonyms
MP
Methyl Palmitate
Formal Name
hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester
CAS Number
112-39-0
Molecular Formula
C17H34O2
Formula Weight
270.5
Formulation
A crystalline solid
Purity
>99%
Stability
2 years
Storage
-20°C
Shipping
Wet ice
in continental US; may vary elsewhere
SMILES
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CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(OC)=O
Background Reading
Santos, M.J., López-Jurado, M., Llopis, J., et al. Influence of dietary supplementation with fish oil on plasma fatty acid composition in coronary heart disease patients. Ann Nutr Metab3952-62(1995).
Cai, P., Kaphalia, B.S., and Ansari, G.A.S. Methyl palmitate: Inhibitor of phagocytosis in primary rat Kupffer cells. Toxicology210197-204(2005).
Lee, J.Y., Sohn, K.H., Rhee, S.H., et al. Saturated fatty acids, but not unsaturated fatty acids, induced the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 mediated through toll-like receptor 4. J Biol Chem276(20)16683-16689(2001).
Palmitic Acid methyl ester is available in the following screening
libraries: