Resolvins, docosatrienes, and neuroprotectins, novel omega-3-derived mediators, and their endogenous aspirin-triggered epimers.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review of biochemical pathways and preclinical findings without human clinical data
PubMed 15726828 · doi:10.1007/s11745-004-1339-7
What was done
This review outlines the discovery, biosynthetic pathways, nomenclature, and bioactions of novel bioactive lipid mediators derived from eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) identified in resolving inflammatory exudates and DHA-enriched tissues, including the effects of aspirin in generating related epimeric forms.
What was found
The authors categorize five distinct mediator families: 1. 18R resolvins from EPA (resolvin E1 / RvE1), active in the 1–10 nM range. 2. 17R series aspirin-triggered (AT) resolvins from DHA (AT-RvD1 through AT-RvD4). 3. 17S series resolvins from DHA (RvD1 through RvD4). 4. DHA-derived docosatrienes (DT) with immunoregulatory and neuroprotective actions (termed neuroprotectins). 5. Aspirin-triggered 17R series docosatrienes. Aspirin treatment induces the formation of 17R epimers, which display in vivo anti-inflammatory potency essentially equivalent to native 17S series products.
Why it matters
This paper introduces the foundational terminology and biochemical framework for specialized pro-resolving mediators, describing a molecular mechanism through which omega-3 fatty acids and aspirin help actively resolve inflammation.
Limits
The abstract describes a narrative review of biochemical identification and preclinical pathways; it presents no systematic search methodology, human clinical trial data, or clinical outcome measurements. Sample sizes and variance estimates are absent from the abstract.
Cited by
- supports EPA is metabolized into E-series resolvins, while DHA is metabolized into D-series resolvins, protectins, and neuroprotectins.