Unsaturated dietary fatty acids, such as eicosapentaenoic acid are known to protect against cardiovascular diseases. However, the mechanism and the specific fat metabolites responsible for this protection were unknown.

A group of Japanese scientists now show that mice engineered to produce their own EPA are protected against heart disease and have improved cardiac function. One particular EPA metabolite, called 18-hydroxyeicosapentaenoic acid was required for this protection. 18-HEPE was produced by immune cells called macrophages, which dampened inflammation and fibrosis in the heart.

A diet enriched in 18-HEPE might thus help prevent heart failure in patients with cardiovascular diseases.

Exp. Med. doi:10.1084/jem.20132011

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