A reliable risk factor for sudden cardiac death (SCD) for the general population remains to be defined. We propose the omega-3 index, defined as the combined percentage of eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acids (DHA) in red blood cell membranes. It reflects the EPA + DHA status of a given individual. It can be determined by a standardised and reproducible laboratory procedure. Several...

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is an antioxidant and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid that reduces the production of inflammatory cytokines. We evaluated the role of EPA in chondrocyte apoptosis and degeneration. Normal human chondrocytes were treated with EPA and sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Expression of metalloproteinases (MMPs) was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and that of...

Objective—Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) has been shown to have beneficial effects on cardiovascular diseases, although the precise mechanism is unknown. We investigated the effect of EPA on the regression of atherosclerosis. Methods and Results—LDL-receptor– deficient mice were fed a high-cholesterol diet for 8 weeks to build up aortic sinus atherosclerotic lesions and then were fed a normal diet...

To determine the effects of EPA, stearidonic acid (STA) or g-linolenic acid (GLA) on immune outcomes, healthy male subjects consumed one of seven oil blends for 12 weeks. EPA consumption increased the EPA content of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Consumption of GLA (2·0 g/d) in the absence of STA or EPA increased di-homo-GLA content in PBMC. Neither STA nor its derivative 20 : 4n-3 ...

BACKGROUND Supplementation with long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) has been found to reduce the development of allergic disease. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of fish oil diets rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3; EPA) or docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3; DHA) in suppressing food allergic symptoms. METHODS Mice were fed a control diet (10...

The aim of this study was to investigate the antiplatelet effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) at a sufficient dose following coronary stent implantation. Thirty-one patients on dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel were treated with highly purified EPA-E (Epadel®) for 12 weeks. Based on our previous study, patients with a high baseline EPA/arachidonic acid (AA) ratio (≥ 0.37...

BACKGROUND Estimation of the intake of oily fish at a population level is difficult. The measurement of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in biological samples may provide a useful biomarker of intake. OBJECTIVE We identified the most appropriate biomarkers for the assessment of habitual oily fish intake and changes in intake by elucidating the dose- and time-dependen...