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Review
. 2018 Jul-Aug;36(4):935-953.
doi: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2018.02.014. Epub 2018 Feb 28.

Paradigm shift - Metabolic transformation of docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids to bioactives exemplify the promise of fatty acid drug discovery

Affiliations
Review

Paradigm shift - Metabolic transformation of docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids to bioactives exemplify the promise of fatty acid drug discovery

Ganesh V Halade et al. Biotechnol Adv. 2018 Jul-Aug.

Abstract

Fatty acid drug discovery (FADD) is defined as the identification of novel, specialized bioactive mediators that are derived from fatty acids and have precise pharmacological/therapeutic potential. A number of reports indicate that dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids and limited intake of omega-6 promotes overall health benefits. In 1929, Burr and Burr indicated the significant role of essential fatty acids for survival and functional health of many organs. In reference to specific dietary benefits of differential omega-3 fatty acids, docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids (DHA and EPA) are transformed to monohydroxy, dihydroxy, trihydroxy, and other complex mediators during infection, injury, and exercise to resolve inflammation. The presented FADD approach describes the metabolic transformation of DHA and EPA in response to injury, infection, and exercise to govern uncontrolled inflammation. Metabolic transformation of DHA and EPA into a number of pro-resolving molecules exemplifies a novel, inexpensive approach compared to traditional, expensive drug discovery. DHA and EPA have been recommended for prevention of cardiovascular disease since 1970. Therefore, the FADD approach is relevant to cardiovascular disease and resolution of inflammation in many injury models. Future research demands identification of novel action targets, receptors for biomolecules, mechanism(s), and drug-interactions with resolvins in order to maintain homeostasis.

Keywords: Inflammation; Lipid mediators; Lipoxygenase; Macrophages; Neutrophils; Omega-3 fatty acids; Resolution; Resolvins.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest- The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Process for Fatty Acid Drug Discovery (FADD) approach
Illustration depicts the processes of traditional versus reverse pharmacology. Using fatty acids as drug biosynthesizing candidates, reverse pharmacology is a feasible, more cost-effective method to develop novel molecules to combat diseases associated with conditions such as aging, inflammation, injury, and infection. eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA); docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
Figure 2
Figure 2
Metabolism of omega-3 and omega-6 dietary fatty acids and respective lipid mediators. Arachidonic acid (AA); eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA); docosahexaenoic acid (DHA); docosapentaenoic acid (DPA); 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX); 12-lipoxygenase (12-LOX); 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX); cyclooxygenase (COX); leukotriene (LT); lipoxin A4 (LXA4); prostaglandins (PGs); E-series resolvins (RvEs); D-series resolvins (RvDs); 13-series resolvins (RvTs).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Estimated chronological depiction of major points in the development of D-series resolvin mediators controlling inflammation and promoting resolution of inflammation. Timeline displays the estimated progression of the fish oil-enriched diet to the development of drugs for the treatment of hyperlipidemia to the advancement of D-series mediators from DHA.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Estimated chronological depiction of major points in the development of E-series resolvin mediators controlling inflammation and promoting resolution of inflammation. Timeline displays the progression of the fish oil-enriched diet to the development of drugs for the treatment of hyperlipidemia to the advancement of E-series mediators from EPA.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Sketch indicating the beneficial potential and mechanism of Resolvin D1 in resolution pathophysiology.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Sketch indicating the beneficial potential and mechanism of Resolvin E1 in resolution pathophysiology.

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