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Updated: May 15, 2026
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Enzymatic Synthesis of Epoxidized Metabolites of Docosahexaenoic, Eicosapentaenoic, and Arachidonic Acids
Published on: June 28, 2019
Eicosapentaenoic Acid supplementation changes Fatty Acid composition and corrects endothelial dysfunction in
Ken Yamakawa1, Michio Shimabukuro, Namio Higa
1Second Department of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Hematology and Rheumatology, University of the Ryukyus Graduate School of Medicine, Okinawa 903-0215, Japan.
Cardiology Research and Practice
|January 18, 2013
Summary
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) supplementation improved vascular endothelial function in Japanese hyperlipidemic patients. This improvement occurred despite no changes in cholesterol levels, suggesting EPA
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Nutritional Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Hyperlipidemia is associated with impaired vascular endothelial function.
- Endothelial dysfunction contributes to cardiovascular disease risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on vascular endothelial function and fatty acid composition in Japanese hyperlipidemic subjects.
- To determine if EPA supplementation improves forearm blood flow (FBF) during reactive hyperemia.
Main Methods:
- 1800 mg/day EPA supplementation for 3 months in hyperlipidemic subjects.
- Measurement of lipid profiles and FBF during reactive hyperemia before and after supplementation.
- Analysis of serum free fatty acid composition.
Main Results:
- EPA supplementation did not alter serum lipid profiles (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides).
- EPA supplementation increased serum EPA levels and decreased linoleic acid, γ-linolenic acid, and dihomo-γ-linolenic acid.
- EPA supplementation restored peak FBF during reactive hyperemia, correlating positively with EPA levels.
Conclusions:
- EPA supplementation improves endothelium-dependent vasodilation in hyperlipidemic patients.
- Vascular function improvement may be mediated by changes in fatty acid composition, not lipid-lowering effects.
- EPA may be a beneficial intervention for vascular health in hyperlipidemia.
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