Eicosapentaenoic acid drugs

Figure 12-7 Simplified concept of prostaglandin and leukotriene synthesis pathway from eicosapentaenoic acid. Note the enzymes involved in this process (cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase), which become the target for anti-inflammatory drugs. (From http //www.asthmaworld.org/OMEGA3.htm)...

An extremely important approach to blocking all arachidonate metabolism is the use of 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid [19], This acetylenic analogue of arachidonate was first used to inhibit cyclooxygenase in 1970 and was replaced in 1971 by the non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Later it returned to favor when it was realized that tetraynoic acid blocks the lipoxygenase pathways too. Consequently eico-satetraynoic acid treatment does not involve the complications involved in the use of either eicosapentaenoic acid or other essential fatty acids. 

Abbreviations used in this chapter ALA, alpha-linolenic acid DGLA, dihomogamma-linolenic acid EFA, essential fatty acid EPA, eicosapentaenoic acid GLA, gamma-linolenic acid 12-HETE, hydroxy-eicosatetraeroic acid PG, prostaglandin NSAID, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. 

---