Omega-3 metabolite inhibits growth of irregular blood vessels in eye

A recent study published in Science Translational Medicine reports that the omega-3 metabolite 4-HDHA inhibits the sprouting and growth of irregular blood vessels. This mechanism helps to protect against retinopathy in both premature babies and diabetics. Researchers removed each of the four main enzymes that change omega-3s to active metabolites one by one and thus discovered that the 5-LOX enzyme was required for the protection against retinopathy. This protective effect was caused by the 5-LOX oxidation of the omega-3 PUFA lipid DHA to 4-HDHA. Until this study, the understanding of the protective properties of omega-3 metabolites was rather limited. While the study sheds light on the protective properties of omega-3 PUFAs, researchers still need to unlock the pathways through which omega-3s block abnormal blood vessel growth in the eye. This would allow for new targeted treatments to be developed that would be an alternative to the current costly anti-VEGF therapy. ROPUFA Omega-3 Fatty acids are an important ingredient in VisiVite Premier Ocular Formula No. 2. Elise Ervin Staff Writer