15-hydroxy-5,8,11,13,17-eicosapentaenoic acid

Description

## 15-Hydroxy-5,8,11,13,17-Eicosapentaenoic Acid (15-HEPE)

**15-HEPE** is a **hydroxy-eicosapentaenoic acid (HEPE)**, a type of **omega-3 fatty acid** that is a product of the **oxygenation of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)**. This oxygenation is catalyzed by **15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX)**, an enzyme found in various cells, including platelets, leukocytes, and endothelial cells.

**Importance for Research:**

15-HEPE is gaining increasing interest in research due to its potential roles in a variety of physiological processes and disease states. These include:

**1. Inflammation and Immune Response:**

* **Anti-inflammatory effects:** Studies suggest 15-HEPE has anti-inflammatory properties, potentially acting as a counter-regulator to pro-inflammatory mediators. This may be relevant in conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, and asthma.
* **Modulation of immune cells:** 15-HEPE can influence the function of immune cells like macrophages and T cells, contributing to the resolution of inflammation and immune homeostasis.

**2. Cardiovascular Health:**

* **Blood pressure regulation:** 15-HEPE may play a role in regulating blood pressure by influencing vascular tone and reducing platelet aggregation.
* **Cardioprotective effects:** Studies have linked 15-HEPE with cardioprotective effects, potentially by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation within the heart.

**3. Neurological Function:**

* **Neuroprotection:** Research indicates that 15-HEPE could offer neuroprotective benefits against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
* **Anti-depressant effects:** Some studies suggest a potential role for 15-HEPE in mitigating depression symptoms, although more research is needed.

**4. Cancer:**

* **Anticancer properties:** 15-HEPE has shown promise in pre-clinical studies as an anticancer agent, particularly against colon, breast, and lung cancers. This may be due to its ability to induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancer cells.

**5. Metabolism:**

* **Lipid metabolism:** 15-HEPE can modulate lipid metabolism, potentially impacting cholesterol levels and insulin sensitivity.

**Ongoing Research:**

While 15-HEPE shows promise in these areas, research is still ongoing to fully understand its mechanisms of action, therapeutic potential, and safety profile. More studies are needed to investigate its clinical implications in various diseases and conditions.

**In summary, 15-HEPE is a bioactive lipid derived from EPA with potential implications for inflammation, cardiovascular health, neurological function, cancer, and metabolism. Its increasing research interest highlights its promising therapeutic potential and importance in understanding complex biological processes.**

15-hydroxy-5,8,11,13,17-eicosapentaenoic acid: structure given in first source; RN given refers to parent cpd [Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), National Library of Medicine, extracted Dec-2023]