EPA is an ω-3 fatty acid abundantly available in marine organisms. It is oxygenated by COX-1 and COX-2 at rates of about 5% and 30%, respectively, compared to arachidonic acid.1 EPA has been shown to offer protection against coronary heart disease, thrombosis, ischemic brain injury, scaly dermatitis, and some inflammatory diseases.2,3
1
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).
2
Yerram, N.R., Moore, S.A., and Spector, A.A. Eicosapentaenoic acid metabolism in brain microvessel endothelium: Effect on prostaglandin formation. J Lipid Res301747-1757(1989).
3
Takeuchi, H., Inoue, J., Yoshida, M., et al. Dietary effects of n-3 eicosapentaenoic acid on essential fatty acid-deficiency symptoms of rats. Agric Biol Chem533225-3232(1989).
Synonyms
Timnodonic Acid
EPA
Formal Name
5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z,17Z-eicosapentaenoic acid
CAS Number
10417-94-4
Molecular Formula
C20H30O2
Formula Weight
302.5
Formulation
A solution in ethanol
Purity
≥98%
Stability
1 year
Storage
-20°C
Shipping
Wet ice
in continental US; may vary elsewhere
SMILES
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CC/C=C\C/C=C\C/C=C\C/C=C\C/C=C\CCCC(=O)O
Background Reading
Yerram, N.R., Moore, S.A., and Spector, A.A. Eicosapentaenoic acid metabolism in brain microvessel endothelium: Effect on prostaglandin formation. J Lipid Res301747-1757(1989).
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).
Takeuchi, H., Inoue, J., Yoshida, M., et al. Dietary effects of n-3 eicosapentaenoic acid on essential fatty acid-deficiency symptoms of rats. Agric Biol Chem533225-3232(1989).
Eicosapentaenoic Acid is available in the following screening
libraries: