The Mechanistic Assessment of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids For The Treatment of Cardiometabolic Disease

The dietary intake of free fatty acids present as omega-3 fatty acids – mainly derived from fish – has emerged as an important way to modify cardiovascular (CV) risk through beneficial effects on all stages of atherosclerosis, including plaque angiogenesis. Large-scale clinical trial, REDUCE-IT, with administration of pure high-dose EPA has demonstrated a reduction in ischemic end-points whereas, STRENGTH using combined carboxylic acid formulation containing both EPA and DHA was terminated early due to a low probability of reduction to CV risk. These trials demonstrate clear differences through which omega-3 fatty acids exert their effects. We seek to explore the differences in using EPA or DHA in the setting of CV disease.