Hexadecenoic acid (cis-9) is often found as a component of human adipose tissues, esterified to glycerol and is found in small amounts in most animals. It is synthesized from palmitic acid by the enzyme Δ9-desaturase. Hexadecenoic acid (cis-9) is thought to be biomarker for the de novo synthesis of fatty acids from glucose. It has been reported that there is a consistant positive association between changes in inflammatory markers and hexadecenoic acid (cis-9). Hypercaloric high carbohydrate diets have been shown to stimulate the production of several fatty acids including hexadecenoic acid (cis-9) and its increase is a marker of lipogenesis.{50522} Hexadecenoic acid (cis-9), because it is a product of stearoyl-CoA desaturase activity, can be used as a biomarker for triglyceridemia and abdominal adiposity.{50523} It has been demonstrated that oleic and Hexadecenoic acids (cis-9) can inhibit the cytotoxic activity of trans-10, cis-12-conjugated linoleic acid.{50524} Hexadecenoic acid (cis-9) has been classified as a lipid hormone which stimulates insulin in muscles.{50525}
