Omega-3 oils actions

The nicotinic acid group (acipimox, nicotinic add) can lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels by an action on enzymes in the liver. The fish oils (e.g. omega-3 marine triglycerides) are dietary supplements that may be useful in treating hypertriglyceridaemia. Probucoi can decrease both LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol, as well as having other beneflcial properties. 

EPA, a C20 5 omega-3 (co-3) fatty acid, is a common ingredient of fish oil and is similar to ARA with an additional double bond. Despite this seemingly small difference from ARA, the enzymatic oxygenation of EPA affords new series of anti-inflammatory metabolites [12], termed E-resolvins (RvE), which were the first omega-3 lipid mediators to be identified for their ability to resolve inflammation via receptor-specific actions [13]. These findings provided the first molecular-level mechanistic evidence for the beneficial roles of omega-3 PUPA in health and disease. 

The exact role of polyunsaturated fats in Multiple Sclerosis is unknown. Their transformation into prostaglandins and an effect on the immune system may be one mode of action Fig. 1 illustrates the formation of the different series of prostaglandins derived from the fats of the omega-3 and the omega-6 classes. Eicosapentaenoic acid is plentiful in fish body oil, and it was decided to undertake a dietary trial using this acid as the supplement. 

---