抄録
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have already been known to exert health-promoting effects such as anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular protective effects. Although the mechanism by which EPA or DHA affects inflammation is not fully clear, it has been proposed that they function physiologically through their conversion to bioactive metabolites by oxidizing enzymes such as lipoxygenase, cyclooxygenase, and cytochrome P450 monooxygenase. Through recent advances in liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-based mediator lipidomics technologies, numbers of novel anti-inflammatory lipid mediators have been identified during the resolution phase of acute inflammation. The usefulness of these mediators has been paid much attention because of their novel mechanism to promote the resolution of inflammation in vivo. In this mini-review, we outline our recent knowledge concerning the metabolism of omega-3 PUFAs and the newly discovered functions of their metabolites in inflammatory diseases. Elucidating the production mechanism of the active metabolites of omega-3 PUFAs and the action mechanism of the active metabolites would help not only to understand the pathology of diseases closely associated with inflammation, but also to develop therapeutic application to the diseases.
