Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid. It is incorporated into mitochondrial membranes and can be effective as a pharmacological therapy to improve mitochondrial physiology in skeletal muscle aging (1).
It has a unique chemical structure with important biological consequences. By replacing the arachidonic omega-6 fatty acid in membrane phospholipids, EPA can alter the physical properties of cell membranes. Furthermore, its metabolism can give rise to anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic lipid mediators in contrast to pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic factors which tend to be produced by arachidonic acid (2).
Molecular Formula: C20H30O2
Molecular Weight: 302.45
CAS: 25378-27-2
