The purpose of this book is to introduce the readers on the perspective of the role that unsaturated fatty acids and complex lipids play on health and disease. Bioactive lipids can be modified affecting membrane composition, structure and fluidity in addition to changes in cell signaling associated to lipid-protein (membrane receptors) interactions, issues that are addressed by the authors. This book analyzes key topics involving bioactive lipids and their role in normal signaling and the mechanisms of disease. The book navigates from structural studies of oxidized and non-oxidized lipids to the reactions and cell signaling processes that bioactive lipids play in cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. The book contains the recent advances reported in the literature about lipidomics as well as the role that lipid-derived compounds exert on unfolded protein response and lipid metabolism and disease. This book represents a state of the art introduction to lipid metabolism from a biochemical to anin vivo overview being an useful tool for students and investigators. We hope the mechanistic observations on the role of bioactive lipids in health and disease serve a perspective to improve the existing treatments or propose new lipid-based pharmacology

Andres Trostchansky is an associate professor of Biochemistry at the University de la Republica in Montevideo, Uruguay. He has received the Roberto Caldeyro Barcia Award in Biology.Homero Rubbo is a professor in the department of Biochemistry at the University de la Republica in Montevideo, Uruguay.

Prelims.- Diffusion and transport of reactive species across cell membranes.- Characterization of hydroxy and hydroperoxy polyunsaturated fatty acids by mass spectrometry. Understanding Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors: from the structure to the regulatory actions on metabolism.- Diminishing Inflammation by Reducing Oxidant Generation: Nitrated Fatty Acid-Mediated Inactivation of Xanthine Oxidoreductase. Unfolded protein response: Cause or consequence of lipid and lipoprotein metabolism disturbances?- Arachidonic acid metabolism in macrophages: role of NADPH oxidases.- Lipid Metabolism and Signaling in Platelet Function.- Dyslipidemia in ischemia/reperfusion injury.- Epicardial adipose tissue in cardiovascular disease.- Bioactive Lipids and the gut-brain axis: diet as a modulator of bioactivity and diversity of lipids in the brain.- Nitroalkylation of -synuclein by nitro-oleic acid: Implications for Parkinsons disease.- Bioactive lipids in inflammation after central nervous system injury.- Index.