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introductionstatpearls· Introduction· item NBK556002

Oxidation of fatty acids occurs in multiple regions of the cell within the human body; the mitochondria, in which only beta-oxidation occurs; the peroxisome, where alpha- and beta-oxidation occur; and omega-oxidation, which occurs in the endoplasmic reticulum. Beta-oxidation is a significant source of metabolic energy during interprandial periods and high energy demand states, such as exercise.[1] These metabolic conditions induce the release of fatty acids from adipose tissue due to the secretion of circulating mediators, such as epinephrine and glucagon, which increase the rate of lipolysis.[2] This metabolic pathway provides a large portion of the energy requirement of skeletal muscle, heart muscle, and kidneys when glycogen and gluconeogenic precursors become scarce. Thus, fatty acid oxidation provides an alternative mode of high-efficiency energy production while simultaneously sparing muscles from catabolic breakdown.[1] Other forms of fatty acid oxidation mentioned above are primarily designed to rid the body of large, insoluble xenobiotic compounds and lipid-based cellular components, such as sphingolipids and plasma membrane constituents.