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Identification
Name Icosapent
Accession Number DB00159 (NUTR00024)
Type small molecule
Groups approved, nutraceutical
Description

Important polyunsaturated fatty acid found in fish oils. It serves as the precursor for the prostaglandin-3 and thromboxane-3 families. A diet rich in eicosapentaenoic acid lowers serum lipid concentration, reduces incidence of cardiovascular disorders, prevents platelet aggregation, and inhibits arachidonic acid conversion into the thromboxane-2 and prostaglandin-2 families. [PubChem]
Structure Thumb
Download: MOL | SDF | SMILES | InChI
Display: 2D Structure | 3D Structure
Synonyms
Eicosapentaenoic acid
EPA
Icosapentaenoic acid
Timnodonic acid
Salts Not Available
Brand names Not Available
Brand mixtures Not Available
Categories
  • Dietary supplement
  • Micronutrient
CAS number 10417-94-4
Weight Average: 302.451
Monoisotopic: 302.224580204
Chemical Formula C20H30O2
InChI Key InChIKey=JAZBEHYOTPTENJ-JLNKQSITNA-N
InChI
InChI=1/C20H30O2/c1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18-19-20(21)22/h3-4,6-7,9-10,12-13,15-16H,2,5,8,11,14,17-19H2,1H3,(H,21,22)/b4-3-,7-6-,10-9-,13-12-,16-15-
Plain Text
IUPAC Name
(5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z,17Z)-icosa-5,8,11,14,17-pentaenoic acid
SMILES
CC\C=C/C\C=C/C\C=C/C\C=C/C\C=C/CCCC(O)=O
Plain Text
Mass Spec Not Available
Taxonomy
Kingdom Not Available
Classes Not Available
Substructures Not Available
Pharmacology
Indication EPA can be used for lowering elevated triglycerides in those who are hyperglyceridemic. In addition, EPA may play a therapeutic role in patients with cystic fibrosis by reducing disease severity and may play a similar role in type 2 diabetics in slowing the progression of diabetic nephropathy.
Pharmacodynamics Eicosanoids are chemical messengers derived from 20-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids that play critical roles in immune and inflammatory responses. Both 20-carbon omega-6 fatty acids (arachidonic acid) and 20-carbon omega-3 fatty acids (EPA) can be found in cell membranes. During an inflammatory response, arachidonic acid and EPA are metabolized by enzymes known as cyclooxygenases and lipoxygenases to form eicosanoids. Increasing omega-3 fatty acid intake increases the EPA content of cell membranes and decreases the arachidonic acid content, resulting in higher proportions of eicosanoids derived from EPA. Physiologic responses to arachidonic acid-derived eicosanoids differ from responses to EPA-derived eicosanoids. In general, eicosanoids derived from EPA are less potent inducers of inflammation, blood vessel constriction, and clotting than eicosanoids derived from arachidonic acid.
Mechanism of action The anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic and immunomodulatory actions of EPA is probably due to its role in eicosanoid physiology and biochemistry. Most eicosanoids are produced by the metabolism of omega-3 fatty acids, specifically, arachidonic acid. These eicosanoids, leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and thromboxane A2 (TXA2) stimulate leukocyte chemotaxis, platelet aggregation and vasoconstriction. They are thrombogenic and artherogenic. On the other hand, EPA is metabolized to leukotriene B5 (LTB5) and thromboxane A3 (TXA3), which are eicosanoids that promote vasodilation, inhibit platelet aggregation and leukocyte chemotaxis and are anti-artherogenic and anti-thrombotic. The triglyceride-lowering effect of EPA results from inhibition of lipogenesis and stimulation of fatty acid oxidation. Fatty acid oxidation of EPA occurs mainly in the mitochondria. EPA is a substrate for Prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 1 and 2. It also appears to affect the function and bind to the Carbohydrate responsive element binding protein (ChREBP) and to a fatty acid receptor (G-coupled receptor) known as GP40.
Absorption Not Available
Volume of distribution Not Available
Protein binding Not Available
Metabolism
Not Available
Route of elimination Not Available
Half life Not Available
Clearance Not Available
Toxicity Not Available
Affected organisms
  • Humans and other mammals
Pathways Not Available
Pharmacoeconomics
Manufacturers Not Available
Packagers
  • V Sab Medical Labs Inc.
Dosage forms
Form Route Strength
Capsule Oral
Prices Not Available
Patents Not Available
Properties
State liquid
Experimental Properties
Property Value Source
logP 6.1 Not Available
Predicted Properties
Property Value Source
water solubility 2.89e-04 g/l ALOGPS
logP 6.53 ALOGPS
logP 6.23 ChemAxon
logS -6 ALOGPS
pKa (strongest acidic) 4.82 ChemAxon
physiological charge -1 ChemAxon
hydrogen acceptor count 2 ChemAxon
hydrogen donor count 1 ChemAxon
polar surface area 37.3 ChemAxon
rotatable bond count 13 ChemAxon
refractivity 101.07 ChemAxon
polarizability 35.93 ChemAxon
References
Synthesis Reference Not Available
General Reference
  1. Bays HE, Ballantyne CM, Kastelein JJ, Isaacsohn JL, Braeckman RA, Soni PN: Eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester (AMR101) therapy in patients with very high triglyceride levels (from the Multi-center, plAcebo-controlled, Randomized, double-blINd, 12-week study with an open-label Extension [MARINE] trial). Am J Cardiol. 2011 Sep 1;108(5):682-90. doi: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2011.04.015. Epub 2011 Jun 16. Pubmed
External Links
Resource Link
KEGG Drug D08061 Link_out
KEGG Compound C06428 Link_out
ChEBI 28364 Link_out
ChEMBL 28364 Link_out
Therapeutic Targets Database DAP000969 Link_out
PharmGKB PA164746077 Link_out
IUPHAR 3362 Link_out
Guide to Pharmacology 3362 Link_out
HET EPA Link_out
RxList http://www.rxlist.com/epa_eicosapentaenoic_acid/supplements.htm Link_out
Drugs.com http://www.drugs.com/mtm/epa-fish-oil.html Link_out
PDRhealth http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/nutsupdrugs/eic_0104.shtml Link_out
Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eicosapentaenoic_acid Link_out
ATC Codes
  • C10AX06
AHFS Codes
  • 88:30.00*
PDB Entries
FDA label show (173 KB)
MSDS show (23.2 KB)
Interactions
Drug Interactions Not Available
Food Interactions Not Available
Targets

1. Prostaglandin G/H synthase 2

Pharmacological action: yes
Actions: inhibitor

May have a role as a major mediator of inflammation and/or a role for prostanoid signaling in activity-dependent plasticity

Organism class: human
UniProt ID: P35354 Link_out
Gene: PTGS2 Link_out
Protein Sequence: FASTA
Gene Sequence: FASTA
SNPs: SNPJam Report Link_out

References:
  1. Lee JY, Plakidas A, Lee WH, Heikkinen A, Chanmugam P, Bray G, Hwang DH: Differential modulation of Toll-like receptors by fatty acids: preferential inhibition by n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. J Lipid Res. 2003 Mar;44(3):479-86. Epub 2002 Dec 1. Pubmed
  2. Ait-Said F, Elalamy I, Werts C, Gomard MT, Jacquemin C, Couetil JP, Hatmi M: Inhibition by eicosapentaenoic acid of IL-1beta-induced PGHS-2 expression in human microvascular endothelial cells: involvement of lipoxygenase-derived metabolites and p38 MAPK pathway. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2003 Feb 20;1631(1):77-84. Pubmed
  3. Machida T, Hiramatsu M, Hamaue N, Minami M, Hirafuji M: Docosahexaenoic acid enhances cyclooxygenase-2 induction by facilitating p44/42, but not p38, mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in rat vascular smooth muscle cells. J Pharmacol Sci. 2005 Sep;99(1):113-6. Epub 2005 Sep 1. Pubmed
  4. Das UN: Can COX-2 inhibitor-induced increase in cardiovascular disease risk be modified by essential fatty acids? J Assoc Physicians India. 2005 Jul;53:623-7. Pubmed
  5. Chene G, Dubourdeau M, Balard P, Escoubet-Lozach L, Orfila C, Berry A, Bernad J, Aries MF, Charveron M, Pipy B: n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids induce the expression of COX-2 via PPARgamma activation in human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2007 May;1771(5):576-89. Epub 2007 Mar 16. Pubmed
  6. Vecchio AJ, Simmons DM, Malkowski MG: Structural basis of fatty acid substrate binding to cyclooxygenase-2. J Biol Chem. 2010 Jul 16;285(29):22152-63. Epub 2010 May 12. Pubmed

2. Prostaglandin G/H synthase 1

Pharmacological action: yes
Actions: inhibitor

May play an important role in regulating or promoting cell proliferation in some normal and neoplastically transformed cells

Organism class: human
UniProt ID: P23219 Link_out
Gene: PTGS1 Link_out
Protein Sequence: FASTA
Gene Sequence: FASTA
SNPs: SNPJam Report Link_out

References:
  1. Malkowski MG, Thuresson ED, Lakkides KM, Rieke CJ, Micielli R, Smith WL, Garavito RM: Structure of eicosapentaenoic and linoleic acids in the cyclooxygenase site of prostaglandin endoperoxide H synthase-1. J Biol Chem. 2001 Oct 5;276(40):37547-55. Epub 2001 Jul 27. Pubmed
  2. Machida T, Hiramatsu M, Hamaue N, Minami M, Hirafuji M: Docosahexaenoic acid enhances cyclooxygenase-2 induction by facilitating p44/42, but not p38, mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in rat vascular smooth muscle cells. J Pharmacol Sci. 2005 Sep;99(1):113-6. Epub 2005 Sep 1. Pubmed
  3. Das UN: COX-2 inhibitors and metabolism of essential fatty acids. Med Sci Monit. 2005 Jul;11(7):RA233-7. Epub 2005 Jun 29. Pubmed
  4. Das UN: Can COX-2 inhibitor-induced increase in cardiovascular disease risk be modified by essential fatty acids? J Assoc Physicians India. 2005 Jul;53:623-7. Pubmed
  5. Yang P, Chan D, Felix E, Cartwright C, Menter DG, Madden T, Klein RD, Fischer SM, Newman RA: Formation and antiproliferative effect of prostaglandin E(3) from eicosapentaenoic acid in human lung cancer cells. J Lipid Res. 2004 Jun;45(6):1030-9. Epub 2004 Mar 1. Pubmed
  6. Vecchio AJ, Simmons DM, Malkowski MG: Structural basis of fatty acid substrate binding to cyclooxygenase-2. J Biol Chem. 2010 Jul 16;285(29):22152-63. Epub 2010 May 12. Pubmed
  7. Lee JY, Plakidas A, Lee WH, Heikkinen A, Chanmugam P, Bray G, Hwang DH: Differential modulation of Toll-like receptors by fatty acids: preferential inhibition by n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. J Lipid Res. 2003 Mar;44(3):479-86. Epub 2002 Dec 1. Pubmed

3. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma

Pharmacological action: yes
Actions: agonist

Receptor that binds peroxisome proliferators such as hypolipidemic drugs and fatty acids. Once activated by a ligand, the receptor binds to a promoter element in the gene for acyl-CoA oxidase and activates its transcription. It therefore controls the peroxisomal beta-oxidation pathway of fatty acids. Key regulator of adipocyte differentiation and glucose homeostasis

Organism class: human
UniProt ID: P37231 Link_out
Gene: PPARG Link_out
Protein Sequence: FASTA
Gene Sequence: FASTA
SNPs: SNPJam Report Link_out

References:
  1. Chambrier C, Bastard JP, Rieusset J, Chevillotte E, Bonnefont-Rousselot D, Therond P, Hainque B, Riou JP, Laville M, Vidal H: Eicosapentaenoic acid induces mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma. Obes Res. 2002 Jun;10(6):518-25. Pubmed
  2. Selvaraj RK, Klasing KC: Lutein and eicosapentaenoic acid interact to modify iNOS mRNA levels through the PPARgamma/RXR pathway in chickens and HD11 cell lines. J Nutr. 2006 Jun;136(6):1610-6. Pubmed
  3. Iwata Y, Miyamoto S, Takamura M, Yanagisawa H, Kasuya A: Interaction between peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma and its agonists: docking study of oximes having 5-benzyl-2,4-thiazolidinedione. J Mol Graph Model. 2001;19(6):536-42, 598-600. Pubmed
  4. Horia E, Watkins BA: Complementary actions of docosahexaenoic acid and genistein on COX-2, PGE2 and invasiveness in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Carcinogenesis. 2007 Apr;28(4):809-15. Epub 2006 Oct 19. Pubmed
  5. Ramakers JD, Mensink RP, Schaart G, Plat J: Arachidonic Acid but not Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Oleic Acid Activates NF-kappaB and Elevates ICAM-1 Expression in Caco-2 Cells. Lipids. 2007 Aug;42(8):687-98. Epub 2007 Jul 3. Pubmed

4. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta

Pharmacological action: yes
Actions: agonist

Receptor that binds peroxisome proliferators such as hypolipidemic drugs and fatty acids. Once activated by a ligand, the receptor binds to a promoter element in the gene for acyl-CoA oxidase and activates its transcription. It therefore controls the peroxisomal beta-oxidation pathway of fatty acids. Decreases expression of NPC1L1 once activated by a ligand

Organism class: human
UniProt ID: Q03181 Link_out
Gene: PPARD Link_out
Protein Sequence: FASTA
Gene Sequence: FASTA
SNPs: SNPJam Report Link_out

References:
  1. Iwata Y, Miyamoto S, Takamura M, Yanagisawa H, Kasuya A: Interaction between peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma and its agonists: docking study of oximes having 5-benzyl-2,4-thiazolidinedione. J Mol Graph Model. 2001;19(6):536-42, 598-600. Pubmed
  2. Xu HE, Lambert MH, Montana VG, Parks DJ, Blanchard SG, Brown PJ, Sternbach DD, Lehmann JM, Wisely GB, Willson TM, Kliewer SA, Milburn MV: Molecular recognition of fatty acids by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors. Mol Cell. 1999 Mar;3(3):397-403. Pubmed
  3. Kondo H, Misaki R, Gelman L, Watabe S: Ligand-dependent transcriptional activities of four torafugu pufferfish Takifugu rubripes peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors. Gen Comp Endocrinol. 2007 Oct-Dec;154(1-3):120-7. Epub 2007 Jun 12. Pubmed
  4. Inoue I, Shino K, Noji S, Awata T, Katayama S: Expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR alpha) in primary cultures of human vascular endothelial cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1998 May 19;246(2):370-4. Pubmed
  5. Caldari-Torres C, Rodriguez-Sallaberry C, Greene ES, Badinga L: Differential effects of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids on prostaglandin F2alpha production by bovine endometrial cells. J Dairy Sci. 2006 Mar;89(3):971-7. Pubmed

5. BC269730_2

Pharmacological action: unknown
Actions: agonist
Organism class: human
UniProt ID: O60427 Link_out
Gene: DKFZp762M2311 Link_out
Protein Sequence: FASTA
Gene Sequence: FASTA
SNPs: SNPJam Report Link_out

References:
  1. Barham JB, Edens MB, Fonteh AN, Johnson MM, Easter L, Chilton FH: Addition of eicosapentaenoic acid to gamma-linolenic acid-supplemented diets prevents serum arachidonic acid accumulation in humans. J Nutr. 2000 Aug;130(8):1925-31. Pubmed
  2. Navarro E, Esteve M, Olive A, Klaassen J, Cabre E, Tena X, Fernandez-Banares F, Pastor C, Gassull MA: Abnormal fatty acid pattern in rheumatoid arthritis. A rationale for treatment with marine and botanical lipids. J Rheumatol. 2000 Feb;27(2):298-303. Pubmed
  3. Engler MM, Bellenger-Germain SH, Engler MB, Narce MM, Poisson JP: Dietary docosahexaenoic acid affects stearic acid desaturation in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Lipids. 2000 Sep;35(9):1011-5. Pubmed
  4. Chavali SR, Zhong WW, Forse RA: Dietary alpha-linolenic acid increases TNF-alpha, and decreases IL-6, IL-10 in response to LPS: effects of sesamin on the delta-5 desaturation of omega6 and omega3 fatty acids in mice. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 1998 Mar;58(3):185-91. Pubmed
  5. Watts JL, Browse J: Isolation and characterization of a Delta 5-fatty acid desaturase from Caenorhabditis elegans. Arch Biochem Biophys. 1999 Feb 1;362(1):175-82. Pubmed

6. Long-chain-fatty-acid--CoA ligase 4

Pharmacological action: unknown
Actions: inducer

Activation of long-chain fatty acids for both synthesis of cellular lipids, and degradation via beta-oxidation. Preferentially uses arachidonate and eicosapentaenoate as substrates

Organism class: human
UniProt ID: O60488 Link_out
Gene: ACSL4 Link_out
Protein Sequence: FASTA
Gene Sequence: FASTA
SNPs: SNPJam Report Link_out

References:
  1. Heimli H, Hollung K, Drevon CA: Eicosapentaenoic acid-induced apoptosis depends on acyl CoA-synthetase. Lipids. 2003 Mar;38(3):263-8. Pubmed
  2. Covault J, Pettinati H, Moak D, Mueller T, Kranzler HR: Association of a long-chain fatty acid-CoA ligase 4 gene polymorphism with depression and with enhanced niacin-induced dermal erythema. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet. 2004 May 15;127(1):42-7. Pubmed

7. Long-chain-fatty-acid--CoA ligase 3

Pharmacological action: unknown
Actions: inducer

Activation of long-chain fatty acids for both synthesis of cellular lipids, and degradation via beta-oxidation. Preferentially uses myristate, laurate, arachidonate and eicosapentaenoate as substrates

Organism class: human
UniProt ID: O95573 Link_out
Gene: ACSL3 Link_out
Protein Sequence: FASTA
Gene Sequence: FASTA
SNPs: SNPJam Report Link_out

References:
  1. Overington JP, Al-Lazikani B, Hopkins AL: How many drug targets are there? Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2006 Dec;5(12):993-6. Pubmed
  2. Imming P, Sinning C, Meyer A: Drugs, their targets and the nature and number of drug targets. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2006 Oct;5(10):821-34. Pubmed

8. Free fatty acid receptor 1

Pharmacological action: yes
Actions: agonist

Receptor for medium and long chain saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Binding of the ligand increase intracellular calcium concentration and amplify glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. The activity of this receptor is mediated by G- proteins that activate phospholipase C. Seems to act through a G(q) and G(i)-mediated pathway

Organism class: human
UniProt ID: O14842 Link_out
Gene: FFAR1 Link_out
Protein Sequence: FASTA
Gene Sequence: FASTA
SNPs: SNPJam Report Link_out

References:
  1. Itoh Y, Hinuma S: GPR40, a free fatty acid receptor on pancreatic beta cells, regulates insulin secretion. Hepatol Res. 2005 Oct;33(2):171-3. Epub 2005 Oct 6. Pubmed

9. Sodium/calcium exchanger 1

Pharmacological action: yes
Actions: inhibitor

Rapidly transports Ca(2+) during excitation-contraction coupling. Ca(2+) is extruded from the cell during relaxation so as to prevent overloading of intracellular stores

Organism class: human
UniProt ID: P32418 Link_out
Gene: SLC8A1 Link_out
Protein Sequence: FASTA
Gene Sequence: FASTA
SNPs: SNPJam Report Link_out

References:
  1. Xiao YF, Ke Q, Chen Y, Morgan JP, Leaf A: Inhibitory effect of n-3 fish oil fatty acids on cardiac Na+/Ca2+ exchange currents in HEK293t cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2004 Aug 13;321(1):116-23. Pubmed

10. Transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1

Pharmacological action: unknown
Actions: inducer

Receptor-activated non-selective calcium permeant cation channel involved in detection of noxious chemical and thermal stimuli. Seems to mediate proton influx and may be involved in intracellular acidosis in nociceptive neurons. May be involved in mediation of inflammatory pain and hyperalgesia. Sensitized by a phosphatidylinositol second messenger system activated by receptor tyrosine kinases, which involves PKC isozymes and PCL

Organism class: human
UniProt ID: Q8NER1 Link_out
Gene: TRPV1 Link_out
Protein Sequence: FASTA
Gene Sequence: FASTA
SNPs: SNPJam Report Link_out

References:
  1. Matta JA, Miyares RL, Ahern GP: TRPV1 is a novel target for omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. J Physiol. 2007 Jan 15;578(Pt 2):397-411. Epub 2006 Oct 12. Pubmed
Carriers

1. Fatty acid-binding protein, brain

B-FABP could be involved in the transport of a so far unknown hydrophobic ligand with potential morphogenic activity during CNS development. It is required for the establishment of the radial glial fiber system in developing brain, a system that is necessary for the migration of immature neurons to establish cortical layers

UniProt ID: O15540 Link_out
Gene: FABP7 Link_out
Protein Sequence: FASTA
Gene Sequence: FASTA
SNPs: SNPJam Report Link_out

References:
  1. Balendiran GK, Schnutgen F, Scapin G, Borchers T, Xhong N, Lim K, Godbout R, Spener F, Sacchettini JC: Crystal structure and thermodynamic analysis of human brain fatty acid-binding protein. J Biol Chem. 2000 Sep 1;275(35):27045-54. Pubmed
  2. Liu YE, Pu W, Wang J, Kang JX, Shi YE: Activation of Stat5 and induction of a pregnancy-like mammary gland differentiation by eicosapentaenoic and docosapentaenoic omega-3 fatty acids. FEBS J. 2007 Jul;274(13):3351-62. Epub 2007 Jun 5. Pubmed
Comments
Drug created on June 13, 2005 07:24 / Updated on May 28, 2013 14:31