docosahexaenoic acid + eicosapentaenoic acid

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are essential omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids primarily derived from marine sources. They function as pleiotropic agents, most notably as agonists of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), which regulate lipid metabolism and inflammation. In the liver, they reduce the synthesis and secretion of very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) and triglycerides by inhibiting enzymes like diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase (DGAT) and increasing fatty acid beta-oxidation. They also possess anti-inflammatory properties by acting as agonists for the G protein-coupled receptor FFAR4 (GPR120) and by displacing arachidonic acid from cell membranes, thereby reducing the production of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids via the cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) pathways. Clinically, pharmaceutical-grade combinations are approved for the treatment of severe hypertriglyceridemia and have been extensively studied for cardiovascular protection, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and maternal-fetal health.

Brand names

LovazaOmacorEpanova

Other names

docosahexaenoic acid + eicosapentaenoic acidomega-3-acid ethyl estersomega3-acid ethyl estersomega 3-acid ethyl estersn-3 PUFAn3 PUFAn 3 PUFAomega-3 fatty acidsomega3 fatty acidsomega 3 fatty acidsDHA + EPA