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Updated: May 31, 2026

Enzymatic Synthesis of Epoxidized Metabolites of Docosahexaenoic, Eicosapentaenoic, and Arachidonic Acids
Published on: June 28, 2019
The relation between the omega-3 index and arachidonic acid is bell shaped: synergistic at low EPA+DHA status and
Martine F Luxwolda1, Remko S Kuipers, Ella N Smit
1Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands. M.luxwolda@lc.umcg.nl
Introduction:
The relation between docosahexaenoic (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA) vs. arachidonic acid (AA) seems characterized by both synergism and antagonism.
Materials And Methods:
Investigate the relation between EPA+DHA and AA in populations with a wide range of EPA+DHA status and across the life cycle. EPA+DHA and AA were determined in erythrocytes (RBC; n=1979), umbilical arteries (UA; n=789) and umbilical veins (UV; n=785).
Results:
In all compartments, notably RBC, the relation between EPA+DHA and AA appeared bell-shaped. Populations with low RBC-EPA+DHA (<2g%) exhibited positive relationships; those with high RBC-EPA+DHA (>8g%) negative relationships. Antagonism in UA and UV could not be demonstrated.
Conclusion:
Both synergism and antagonism might aim at a balance between ω6 and ω3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCP) to maintain homeostasis. Synergism might be a feature of low LCPω3 status. AA becomes suppressed by antagonism from an RBC-EPA+DHA >8g%.
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