The importance of coenzyme A (CoA) as a carrier of acyl residues in cell metabolism is well understood. Coenzyme A participates in more than 100 different catabolic and anabolic reactions, including those involved in the metabolism of lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, ethanol, bile acids, and xenobiotics. However, much less is known about the importance of the concentration of this cofactor in various cell compartments and the role of altered CoA concentration in various pathologies. Despite continuous research on these issues, the molecular mechanisms in the regulation of the intracellular level of CoA under pathological conditions are still not well understood. This review summarizes the current knowledge of (a) CoA subcellular concentrations; (b) the roles of CoA synthesis and degradation processes; and (c) protein modification by reversible CoA binding to proteins (CoAlation). Particular attention is paid to (a) the roles of changes in the level of CoA under pathological conditions, such as in neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, myopathies, and infectious diseases; and (b) the beneficial effect of CoA and pantethine (which like CoA is finally converted to Pan and cysteamine), used at pharmacological doses for the treatment of hyperlipidemia.

This review highlights the complex role of fatty acid β-oxidation in brain metabolism. It demonstrates the fundamental importance of fatty acid degradation as a fuel in energy balance and as an essential component in lipid homeostasis, brain aging, and neurodegenerative disorders.

Fatty acid metabolism, including β-oxidation (βOX), plays an important role in human physiology and pathology. βOX is an essential process in the energy metabolism of most human cells. Moreover, βOX is also the source of acetyl-CoA, the substrate for (a) ketone bodies synthesis, (b) cholesterol synthesis, (c) phase II detoxication, (d) protein acetylation, and (d) the synthesis of many other compounds, including N-acetylglutamate—an important regulator of urea synthesis. This review describes the current knowledge on the importance of the mitochondrial and peroxisomal βOX in various organs, including the liver, heart, kidney, lung, gastrointestinal tract, peripheral white blood cells, and other cells. In addition, the diseases associated with a disturbance of fatty acid oxidation (FAO) in the liver, heart, kidney, lung, alimentary tract, and other organs or cells are presented. Special attention was paid to abnormalities of FAO in cancer cells and the diseases caused by mutations in gene-encoding enzymes involved in FAO. Finally, issues related to α- and ω- fatty acid oxidation are discussed.

Overexpression of acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) results in increased cholesteryl ester levels and has been involved in a variety of cancer types. As a consequence, cholesterol metabolism has raised interest as a potential target for cancer treatment. Inhibition of ACAT results in suppression of proliferation in a range of cancer cell types both in vitro and in vivo. The exact mechanism of this phenomenon is being investigated, and the most important findings are presented in this review.

Background/Aim: Fatty acid synthase (FASN) provides palmitate for cell membrane formation in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells, however, palmitate is also available in the blood of CRC patients. The aim of this study was to examine whether orlistat, a FASN inhibitor, is able to attenuate CRC cell growth despite the availability of extracellular palmitate. Materials and Methods: Palmitate concentrations were measured in serum from CRC patients and healthy controls. HT-29 CRC cells were treated with orlistat and palmitate. Results: Treatment of CRC cells with orlistat caused a dose-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation. In turn, delivery of extracellular palmitate at doses lower than those found in the serum of CRC patients reversed inhibition by orlistat concentrations of up to 10 μM. Conclusion: Inhibition of CRC cell proliferation by orlistat is reversed by palmitate which is present at high levels in the serum. Therefore, orlistat may be effective in vivo only at high concentrations.