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The eicosapentaenoic acid:arachidonic acid ratio and its clinical utility in cardiovascular disease.
- Source :
- Postgraduate Medicine; May2019, Vol. 131 Issue 4, p268-277, 10p
- Publication Year :
- 2019
-
Abstract
- Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is a key anti-inflammatory/anti-aggregatory long-chain polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acid. Conversely, the omega-6 fatty acid, arachidonic acid (AA) is a precursor to a number of pro-inflammatory/pro-aggregatory mediators. EPA acts competitively with AA for the key cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase enzymes to form less inflammatory products. As a result, the EPA:AA ratio may be a marker of chronic inflammation, with a lower ratio corresponding to higher levels of inflammation. It is now well established that inflammation plays an important role in cardiovascular disease. This review examines the role of the EPA:AA ratio as a marker of cardiovascular disease and the relationship between changes in the ratio (mediated by EPA intake) and changes in cardiovascular risk. Epidemiological studies have shown that a lower EPA:AA ratio is associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease, acute coronary syndrome, myocardial infarction, stroke, chronic heart failure, peripheral artery disease, and vascular disease. Increasing the EPA:AA ratio through treatment with purified EPA has been shown in clinical studies to be effective in primary and secondary prevention of coronary artery disease and reduces the risk of cardiovascular events following percutaneous coronary intervention. The EPA:AA ratio is a valuable predictor of cardiovascular risk. Results from ongoing clinical trials will help to define thresholds for EPA treatment associated with better clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- EICOSAPENTAENOIC acid
OMEGA-6 fatty acids
OMEGA-3 fatty acids
CARDIOVASCULAR diseases
UNSATURATED fatty acids
ATHEROSCLEROSIS prevention
CARDIOVASCULAR disease prevention
INFLAMMATION prevention
ARACHIDONIC acid
CHRONIC diseases
DIETARY supplements
INFLAMMATION
INFLAMMATORY mediators
PROSTAGLANDINS
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00325481
- Volume :
- 131
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- Supplemental Index
- Journal :
- Postgraduate Medicine
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 136679819
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1080/00325481.2019.1607414