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Related Concept Videos

Structure of Lipids03:38

Structure of Lipids

Lipids include a diverse group of compounds that are largely nonpolar in nature. This is because they are hydrocarbons that include mostly nonpolar carbon-carbon or carbon-hydrogen bonds. Non-polar molecules are hydrophobic (“water fearing”), or insoluble in water. Lipids perform many different functions in a cell. Cells store energy for long-term use in the form of fats. Lipids also provide insulation from the environment for plants and animals. For example, they help keep aquatic birds and...
Lipid-derived Compounds in the Human Body01:31

Lipid-derived Compounds in the Human Body

Fats and lipids are crucial components in the human body. Some lipid-derived compounds, such as fat-soluble vitamins, eicosanoids, lipoproteins, and glycolipids, also play unique roles to support various  biological processes .
Fat-soluble Vitamins
Fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K, are required in minimal quantities, but their deficiencies can lead to severely abnormal physiological conditions. For example, vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness, dry skin, delayed...
Lipids: Dietary Sources and Requirements01:18

Lipids: Dietary Sources and Requirements

Lipids are an essential component of a balanced human diet. Triglycerides, which make up the majority of dietary lipids, are found in both saturated fats—commonly present in meat, dairy products, and certain tropical plants like coconut, and hydrogenated oils such as margarine and baking shortenings (trans fats)—and unsaturated fats, which are abundant in seeds, nuts, olive oil, and most vegetable oils. The main sources of cholesterol include egg yolks, various meats and organ meats, shellfish,...
Membrane Fluidity01:23

Membrane Fluidity

Cell membranes are composed of phospholipids, proteins, and carbohydrates loosely attached to one another through chemical interactions. Molecules are generally able to move about in the plane of the membrane, giving the membrane its flexible nature called fluidity. Two other features of the membrane contribute to membrane fluidity: the chemical structure of the phospholipids and the presence of cholesterol in the membrane.
Membrane Fluidity01:26

Membrane Fluidity

Membrane fluidity is explained by the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane, which describes the plasma membrane structure as a mosaic of components—including phospholipids, cholesterol, proteins, and carbohydrates—that gives the membrane a fluid character.
Mosaic nature of the membrane
The mosaic characteristic of the membrane helps the plasma membrane remain fluid. The integral proteins and lipids exist as separate but loosely-attached molecules in the membrane. The membrane is a relatively...
What are Lipids?01:38

What are Lipids?

Overview

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Updated: May 27, 2026

Enzymatic Synthesis of Epoxidized Metabolites of Docosahexaenoic, Eicosapentaenoic, and Arachidonic Acids
13:05

Enzymatic Synthesis of Epoxidized Metabolites of Docosahexaenoic, Eicosapentaenoic, and Arachidonic Acids

Published on: June 28, 2019

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Mark A Hull1

  • 1Section of Molecular Gastroenterology, Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, United Kingdom. M.A.Hull@leeds.ac.uktel

Best Practice & Research. Clinical Gastroenterology
|November 30, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), show potential for colorectal cancer (CRC) prevention. Studies in rodents and humans suggest EPA may reduce colorectal tumor and polyp development.

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Oncology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are abundant in oily fish.
  • Epidemiological studies on omega-3 PUFAs and colorectal cancer (CRC) risk have yielded inconsistent results.
  • Rodent models demonstrate chemopreventive activity of EPA and DHA against colorectal carcinogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the chemopreventive efficacy of EPA in colorectal cancer.
  • To assess the impact of EPA on polyp development in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis.
  • To investigate the potential of EPA in preventing sporadic colorectal neoplasia.

Main Methods:

  • Dietary administration of EPA and DHA in rodent models of colorectal carcinogenesis.
  • Clinical observation of rectal polyp number and size in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis treated with EPA.
  • Initiation of a randomized polyp prevention trial for EPA efficacy against sporadic colorectal neoplasia.

Main Results:

  • Dietary EPA and DHA reduced colorectal tumor size and multiplicity in rodent models.
  • EPA administration led to a reduction in rectal polyp number and size in familial adenomatous polyposis patients.
  • A randomized trial is currently evaluating EPA's chemopreventive effects on sporadic colorectal neoplasia.

Conclusions:

  • EPA demonstrates promising chemopreventive activity against colorectal neoplasia.
  • Further research, including randomized trials, is warranted to confirm EPA's role in CRC prevention.
  • Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA, represent a potential therapeutic strategy for colorectal cancer prevention.