[Potential value of eicosapentaenoic acid].

The arachidonic acid substitution by an alternative fatty acid, substrate for the 5-lipoxygenase and the cyclo-oxygenase pathway constitutes a novel therapeutic approach or a complement for other therapeutics in the inflammation area. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), one of the fish oil components, is a substrate for both enzymes and an inhibitor for several enzymes of arachidonic acid cascade, in vitro and in vivo. The EPA-generated metabolites have less pro-inflammatory effects than those produced by arachidonic acid metabolism.