Studies in the medical literature since the 1970s have strongly suggested that eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is a significant modulator of thromboxane and pr,)staglandin activity, primarily in its role as a precursor of the 3 class of thromboxanes and Prostaglandins. A recent 20-year epidemiological study uncovered a strong correlation between increased fish consumption and decreased cardiovascular disease mortality in a Dutch population. A diet containing greater than 400 mg per day of EPA gave greater than a 50% reduction in cardiovascular disease mortality, compared with a diet containing no fish oil. It appears possible from this and other studies that a relatively low intake of EPA-fish oils on a chronic basis may substantially reduce the risk of cardiovascular mortality.Lipid Specialties has recently processed a fish oil to contain 30% EPA without heavy metal or PCB contamination. Phase I research will focus on stabilizing EPA-fish oils using tocopherols and a new class of semisynthetic phospholipids, the Lipid X surfactants. These surfactants are unique in being completely miscible with oils, and so will solubilize the tocopherols. If the resistance to oxidation can be raised to greater than an AOM of 8 hours, Phase II studies would include toxicology studies of Lipid X administered orally to animals, with a goal of obtaining FDA approval of Lipid X as a food additive.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
