omega-3 and omega-6 long-chain PUFAs and their enzymatic metabolites in neovascular eye diseases

• Neovascular eye diseases, including retinopathy of prematurity, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration, threaten the visual health of children and adults. Current treatment options, including anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy and laser retinal photocoagulation, have limitations and are associated with adverse effects; therefore, the identification of additional therapies is highly desirable. Both clinical and experimental studies show that dietary omega-3 (n-3) long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) reduce retinal and choroidal angiogenesis. The omega-3 LC-PUFA metabolites from 2 groups of enzymes, cyclooxygenases and lipoxygenases, inhibit [and the omega-6 (n-6) LC-PUFA metabolites promote] inflammation and angiogenesis. However, both of the omega-3 and the omega-6 lipid products of cytochrome P450 oxidase 2C promote neovascularization in both the retina and choroid, which suggests that inhibition of this pathway might be beneficial. This review summarizes our current understanding of the roles of omega-3 and omega-6 LC-PUFAs and their enzymatic metabolites in neovascular eye diseases.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine (hsv//eng)

Keyword

lipid metabolism

long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid

retinopathy of prematurity

diabetic retinopathy

age-related macular degeneration

polyunsaturated fatty-acids

vascular endothelial-cells

proliferative

diabetic-retinopathy

randomized controlled-trial

macular degeneration

docosahexaenoic acid

choroidal neovascularization

preterm infants

lipid mediators

growth-factor

Nutrition & Dietetics

evens mk

1988

journal of cerebral blood flow and metabolism

v8

p790

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)