Ukr.Biochem.J. 2025; Volume 97, Issue 5, Sep-Oct, pp. 88-101

doi: https://doi.org/10.15407/ubj97.05.088

Historical overview of lipid biochemistry research: from initial hypotheses to understanding the biological role of N-acylethanolamines

10.11.2025   Uncategorized

H. V. Kosiakova*, A. G. Berdyshev, T. M. Horidko,
V. M. Klimashevsky, O. F. Meged, O. S. Tkachenko,
N. L. Kindruk, O. V. Zhukov, V. S. Asmolkova, N. M. Hula

Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine,
Department of Lipid Biochemistry, Kyiv;
*e-mail: kosiakova@hotmail.com

Received: 09 June 2025; Revised: 09 July 2025;
Accepted: 30 October 2025; Available on-line: 02 December 2025

In the Department of Lipid Biochemistry at the Palladin Institute of Biochemistry of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, a systematic approach to studying the functional role of lipids and investigating the lipidome of mammals and humans was developed and implemented from 1988 to 2025. A new class of low-polarity lipids, N-acylethanolamines (NAE), was discovered, and a multifaceted detailed study of their biological activity and functional role in the body was conducted. This allowed the discovery of several new mechanisms for regulating vital processes both in normal conditions and in various pathological states. The relevance of these studies lies in the fact that they not only deepened fundamental knowledge in human and animal biology but also led to the development of several pharmacological agents for the therapy of a range of pathological conditions. The drugs are proposed for use in cardiovascular diseases, allergies, burns, type I and II diabetes, inflammatory processes, oncological diseases, organ transplantation, as well as chronic and acute stress, drug addiction, alcoholism, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Additionally, antiviral agents have been developed that are highly effective against influenza virus, hepatitis C virus, herpes simplex virus, and coronavirus. These agents have no side effects and are protected by 19 Ukrainian patents. The scientific results of the Department of Lipid Biochemistry have been published in over 200 scientific papers and presented at more than 130 international and domestic scientific forums. This article provides a brief review of the main achievements of the Department of Lipid Biochemistry in investigating the biological effects of NAE.

Keywords: , , ,

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