Eicosapentaenoic acid

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Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA or also icosapentaenoic acid) is an omega-3 fatty acid. In physiological literature, it is given the name 20:5(n-3). Its systematic chemical name is all-cis-5,8,11,14,17-icosapentaenoic acid. It also has the trivial name timnodonic acid. Chemically, EPA is a carboxylic acid with a 20-carbon chain and five cis double bonds; the first double bond is located at the third carbon from the omega end. It has the molecular formula C₂₀H₃₀O₂.

EPA and its metabolites act in the body largely by their interactions with the metabolites of arachidonic acid; see Essential fatty acid interactions for detail.

EPA is a polyunsaturated fatty acid that acts as a precursor for prostaglandin-3 (which inhibits platelet aggregation), thromboxane-3 and leukotriene-5 groups. It is found in fish oils of cod liver, herring, mackerel, salmon, menhaden and sardine. It is also found in human breast milk.

The US National Institute of Health's MedlinePlus lists a large number of conditions in which EPA (alone or in concert with other ω-3 sources) is known or thought to be effective. (NIH Medline Plus) Most of these involve its ability to lower inflammation.

The chemical strucuture of EPA showing physiological numbering (red) and chemical numbering (blue) conventions.

Eicosapentaenoic acid

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See also