Soybean oil

Fatty acids serve as an important substrate for energy production. The most common mechanism of action for energy production derived from fatty acid metabolism is beta oxidation. Fatty acids are also important for membrane structure and function, precursors for bioactive molecules (such as prostaglandins), and as regulators of gene expression. Soybean oil-based lipid emulsion may also cause an increase in heat production, decrease in respiratory quotient, and increase in oxygen consumption following its administration. Soybean oil contents prevent abnormally high triacylglycerol synthesis and its accumulation as lipid droplets in the liver by regulating hepatic lipogenesis and lipolysis. In vitro, soybean oil is shown to prevent downregulation of CYP2C2, CYP2C11 and CYP3A2 mRNA thus maintaining hepatic drug oxidation capabilities. Soybean oil is broken down into free fatty acids that activate PPAR-alpha, which regulate hepatic CYP4A1 that hydroxylate saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Soybean oil is also shown to prevent up/downregulation of efflux transporters and maintain mRNA levels of hepatic antioxidant enzymes in vitro rat studies.