Multifaceted Clinical and Therapeutic Potential of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Humans

Abstract

Omega-3 (?-3) and omega-6 (?-6) fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), both of which metabolically yield very long chain fatty acids supporting numerous physiological and developmental processes in human body. These are essential fatty acids since they are not synthesized de novo in human beings and must be obtained through the diet. The major dietary sources are plant seeds, nuts, fish oils and other sea foods. Omega-3 PUFAs, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have been shown to exert antitumor actions that regulate malignant growth. Several other health benefits have been attributed to long-chain ?-3 PUFAs including protection against cardiac arrhythmia, triglyceride-lowering, and amelioration of inflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders. They act as cardioprotective, vasodilatory, anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic, anti-diabetic, antiallergic and antimicrobial agents, and are known to efficiently combat bronchial disorders, atherosclerosis, intestinal inflammation and neurocognitive disorders, improving memory and brain function. A variety of these beneficial effects are mediated by omega-3 epoxyeicosanoids, a class of novel ?-3 long chain-PUFA-derived lipid mediators, which are generated via the cytochrome P450 (CYP) epoxygenase pathway. CYP enzymes accept EPA and DHA, the major fish oil, as efficient substrates. The dietary EPA/DHA supplementation in humans causes a profound shift of the endogenous CYP-eicosanoid profile from arachidonic acid (AA)- to EPA- and DHA-derived metabolites. Improper balance between ?-6 fatty acids and ?-3 fatty acids may cause detrimental effects with a lot of diseased conditions. The present article highlights the multifaceted clinical and therapeutic implications of ?-3 fatty acids in the prevention of several diseases and disorders in humans, suggesting their role in maintaining sound health.