Endogenous pro-resolving and anti-inflammatory lipid mediators: the new hope of atherosclerotic diseases

Med Hypotheses. 2008 Aug;71(2):237-40. doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2008.03.026. Epub 2008 Apr 29.

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is a complex disease process in which genetic, lipid, cellular, and immunological factors combine to determine the location, severity, and timing of lesion development and clinical events. It has been demonstrated, however, that inflammation governed atherosclerosis during the course of development of atherosclerosis. It has also been demonstrated to be effective to decrease the cardiovascular events and improve the prognosis of atherosclerotic diseases by regulating inflammatory reaction (e.g., statins). However, endogenous mechanisms of limiting inflammation in atherosclerosis are still unclear. Recent studies showed that lipoxidase/leukotrienes (LOX/LTs) pathway played important role in the ignition and development of atherosclerosis, whereas resolvins (E-series resolvins and D-series resolvins) and protectins [protectin D1 (PD1) and neuroprotectin D1 (NPD1)], endogenous lipid-derived mediators, inhibited inflammation through pro-resolution and counter-modulating immune inflammation reaction in atherosclerosis. Hence, we hypothesize that increased endogenous lipid mediators mentioned above play a vital role in anti-atherosclerosis and plaque stabilization through pro-resolution and anti-inflammation by LOX/LTs pathway. In addition, we predict that the endogenous lipid mediators may be a new target for treatment of atherosclerotic diseases.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Atherosclerosis / diagnosis*
  • Atherosclerosis / pathology*
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Docosahexaenoic Acids / metabolism
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immune System
  • Inflammation
  • Inflammation Mediators / pharmacology*
  • Lipids / chemistry*
  • Models, Biological
  • Models, Theoretical

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Lipids
  • protectin D1
  • resolvin D1
  • Docosahexaenoic Acids