Fish oils in the diet have anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular benefits due to an abundance of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).1 EPA ethyl ester (EPA-EE) is a stabilized ethyl ester form of this ω-3 C20:5 PUFA. EPA competitively inhibits the metabolism of (ω-6) arachidonic acid by cyclooxygenase enzymes,2 suggesting that EPA-EE may also directly modulate the actions of enzymes involved in fatty acid metabolism. In addition, dietary EPA-EE in rats increases fatty acid β-oxidation enzyme levels,3,4 indicating that EPA-EE may alter the expression of genes related to fatty acid metabolism. Consistent with this concept, dietary supplementation with EPA-EE in rats also down-regulates lipogenic genes, and decreases plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels.5 Also, in rats fed a high-fat diet, supplementation with EPA-EE blocks induced insulin resistance and corrects changes in adiponectin levels and TNF-α expression.6
1
von Schacky, C. A review of omega-3 ethyl esters for cardiovascular prevention and treatment of increased blood triglyceride levels. Vasc Health Risk Manag2(3)251-262(2006).
2
Wada, M., DeLong, C.J., Hong, Y.H., et al. Enzymes and receptors of prostaglandin pathways with arachidonic acid-derived versus eicosapentaenoic acid-derived substrates and products. J Biol Chem282(31)22254-22266(2007).
3
Hong, D.D., Takahashi, Y., Kushiro, M., et al. Divergent effects of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid ethyl esters, and fish oil on hepatic fatty acid oxidation in the rat. Biochim Biophys Acta163529-36(2003).
4
Arachchige, P.G., Takahashi, Y., and Ide, T. Dietary sesamin and docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids synergistically increase the gene expression of enzymes involved in hepatic peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation in rats. Metab Clin Exp55381-390(2006).
5
Pérez-Echarri, N., Pérez-Matute, P., Marcos-Gómez, B., et al. Down-regulation in muscle and liver lipogenic genes: EPA ethyl ester treatment in lean and overweight (high-fat-fed) rats. J Nutr Biochem(2008).
6
Pérez-Matute, P., Pérez-Echarri, N., Martínez, J.A., et al. Eicosapentaenoic acid actions on adiposity and insulin resistance in control and high-fat-fed rats: Role of apoptosis, adiponectin and tumor necrosis factor-a. Br J Nutr97389-398(2007).
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Pérez-Matute, P., Pérez-Echarri, N., Martínez, J.A., et al. Eicosapentaenoic acid actions on adiposity and insulin resistance in control and high-fat-fed rats: Role of apoptosis, adiponectin and tumor necrosis factor-a. Br J Nutr97389-398(2007).
Hong, D.D., Takahashi, Y., Kushiro, M., et al. Divergent effects of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid ethyl esters, and fish oil on hepatic fatty acid oxidation in the rat. Biochim Biophys Acta163529-36(2003).
Pérez-Echarri, N., Pérez-Matute, P., Marcos-Gómez, B., et al. Down-regulation in muscle and liver lipogenic genes: EPA ethyl ester treatment in lean and overweight (high-fat-fed) rats. J Nutr Biochem(2008).
Arachchige, P.G., Takahashi, Y., and Ide, T. Dietary sesamin and docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids synergistically increase the gene expression of enzymes involved in hepatic peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation in rats. Metab Clin Exp55381-390(2006).
Wada, M., DeLong, C.J., Hong, Y.H., et al. Enzymes and receptors of prostaglandin pathways with arachidonic acid-derived versus eicosapentaenoic acid-derived substrates and products. J Biol Chem282(31)22254-22266(2007).
von Schacky, C. A review of omega-3 ethyl esters for cardiovascular prevention and treatment of increased blood triglyceride levels. Vasc Health Risk Manag2(3)251-262(2006).