分支链脂肪酸（BCFA）是一组广泛存在于各种生物体内的脂类，它们参与多种生化过程并影响多种信号通路。然而，在人类健康方面，BCFA还没有得到很好的探究。近年来，它们在与各种人类疾病有关方面引起了人们的兴趣。本综述描述了BCFA的存在、它们的膳食来源、它们的潜在健康效应以及有关它们作用机制的当前知识水平。迄今已在细胞和动物模型中进行了许多研究，揭示了强效的抗癌、降脂、抗炎和神经保护作用。然而，在人类研究方面并不多见。因此，应进一步进行动物和人类研究以确认并扩展这些发现，提高我们对于BCFA与人类健康和疾病潜在相关性的理解。版权所有 © 2023 Elsevier Ltd.发表。

Branched-chain fatty acids (BCFA) are a group of lipids that are widely present in various organisms; they take part in numerous biochemical processes and affect multiple signaling pathways. However, BCFA are not well explored in terms of their effects on human health. Recently, they have been gaining interest, especially in relation to various human diseases. This review describes the occurrence of BCFA, their dietary sources, their potential health effects, and the current state of knowledge concerning their mechanism(s) of action. Many studies have been conducted so far in cellular and animal models, which reveal potent anti-cancer, lipid lowering, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective actions. Research in humans is scarce. Therefore, further studies on animals and humans should be performed to confirm and expand these findings, and improve our understanding of the potential relevance of BCFA to human health and disease.Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Ltd.