Eicosapentaenoic acid

An unsaturated fatty acid, oily liquid. It is abbreviated as EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). It is also called IPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). It is found in large amounts in fish oils such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines. In 1976, it was reported that Greenland Eskimos had a low incidence of ischemic heart disease such as coronary artery sclerosis, and when fatty acids in their blood were examined, they had less arachidonic acid (eicosatetraenoic acid) and more EPA than Caucasians. Furthermore, epidemiological studies of groups living in the cold zone who eat a lot of fatty fish obtained similar results. It was later found that EPA has an inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation, and has attracted attention as an effective treatment for coronary artery sclerosis.

[Fumiji Koho]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

不飽和脂肪酸の一つで、油状の液体。EPA（eicosapentaenoic acid）と略称される。またイコサペンタエン酸（IPA）ともいう。サケ、サバ、イワシなどの魚油中に多く含まれる。グリーンランドのエスキモーに冠状動脈硬化症など虚血性心疾患の発生率が低いところから、血中の脂肪酸を調べると、白人に比べてアラキドン酸（エイコサテトラエン酸）が少なくEPAが多いことが1976年に報告され、さらに寒帯にすむ脂肪分の多い魚を多量に食べる集団でも、疫学的研究から同様の結果が得られた。その後EPAに血小板凝集抑制作用のあることが認められ、冠状動脈硬化症に有効ということで注目されている。

［幸保文治］

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