Eicosapentaenoic acid metabolic pathway

The eicosapentaenoic acid metabolic pathway refers to the biochemical series of reactions by which EPA, a long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, is synthesized, incorporated into cellular lipids, and metabolized into bioactive lipid mediators (eicosanoids) such as prostaglandin-3, thromboxane-3, and leukotriene-5. EPA is primarily obtained from dietary fish oils and has significant physiological effects including anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective actions, modulation of mitochondrial function, improved lipid profiles, and benefits to metabolic health. Therapeutic supplementation (as in the prescription drug Vascepa) is used to lower high triglyceride levels and reduce cardiovascular risk in certain populations. Metabolic processing of EPA is mediated by enzymes such as desaturases and elongases (in biosynthesis), and cyclooxygenases and lipoxygenases (in eicosanoid production). The pathway as a whole is not considered a single drug target but contains molecular drug targets within it.

Other names

EPA metabolic pathwayOmega-3 fatty acid metabolic pathway

Drugs act by supplementing EPA, which is incorporated into phospholipid membranes, serving as a precursor for anti-inflammatory eicosanoids (prostaglandin-3, thromboxane-3) and competing with arachidonic acid for enzymatic processing, shifting eicosanoid production toward less pro-inflammatory mediators