Eicosapentaenoic Acid - Clinical Significance

Clinical Significance

The US National Institute of Health's MedlinePlus lists medical conditions for which EPA (alone or in concert with other ω-3 sources) is known or thought to be an effective treatment. Most of these involve its ability to lower inflammation.

Among omega-3 fatty acids, it is thought that EPA in particular may possess some beneficial potential in mental conditions, such as schizophrenia. Several studies report an additional reduction in scores on symptom scales used to assess the severity of symptoms, when additional EPA is taken.

Studies have suggested that EPA may be efficacious in treating depression. One 2004 study, took blood samples of 100 suicide attempt patients and compared the blood samples to those of controls and found that levels of eicosapentaenoic acid were significantly lower in the washed red blood cells of the suicide-attempt patients. A 2009 metastudy found that patients taking omega-3 supplements with a higher EPA:DHA ratio experienced less depressive symptoms.

EPA has inhibitory effect on CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 hepatic enzymes. At high dose, it may also inhibit the activity of CYP2D6 and CYP3A4, important enzymes involved in drug metabolism.

Research suggests that EPA improves the response of patients to chemotherapy, possibly by modulating the production of eicosanoid.

In a study published in 2011, EPA was shown to be significantly more effective than placebo for treating hyperactivity and attention symptoms, both together and separately.

A recent study describes, for the first time, a prominent protection by EPA against valproate(VPA)-induced hepatic dysfunction, necrosis, and steatosis. Given that VPA is commonly used in mood disorders, this may offer protection against intentional or unintentional overdose. Further, this same study showed a synergistic effect on raising seizure threshold (in pentylenetetrazole mouse convulsion model) when EPA and VPA are used concomitantly.