Docosahexaenoic Acid ethyl ester

Fish oils in the diet have anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular benefits due to an abundance of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). DHA is the most abundant omega-3 PUFA in neural tissues, especially in the retina and brain. DHA ethyl ester is the stabilized ethyl ester form of the omega-3 22:6 fatty acid. Dietary intake of DHA ethyl ester enhances maze-learning ability in old mice. In rats, dietary DHA ethyl ester increases plasma and erythrocyte membrane DHA levels without altering the content of the omega-6 arachidonic acid. Dietary DHA ethyl ester increases fatty acid oxidation enzymes in rats and, in humans with peroxisomal disorders, improves vision, liver function, muscle tone, and social contact. The omega-3 fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid competitively inhibits the metabolism of arachidonic acid by COX enzymes, suggesting that DHA ethyl ester may also directly modulate the actions of enzymes involved in fatty acid metabolism.