Eicosapentaenoic Acid Metabolism in Cynomolgus and Rhesus Conjunctiva and Eyelid

Abstract

ABSTRACT

We have demonstrated that cynomolgus and rhesus monkey ocular tissues such as conjunctiva and eyelids have the capacity to synthesize cyclo-oxygenase and lipoxygenase products from arachidonic acid (AA). In the present study, we demonstrate that another fatty acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5), which is found mainly in marine diets, can be converted by cynomolgus and rhesus monkey conjunctiva and eyelids into cyclo-oxygenase (3-series) and lipoxygenase (5-series) products. EPA-lipoxygenase activity (ranging from 6.5% to 10.4%) was greater than EPA-cyclo-oxygenase activity (ranging from 1.5% to 3.5%) in these tissues. Furthermore, BW755, a cyclo-oxygenase and lipoxygenase inhibitor, inhibited the synthesis of EPA-derived cyclo-oxygenase and lipoxygenase product synthesis, indicating the enzymatic nature of EPA metabolism.