Regulation of Fatty Acid Composition of Leukocytes by Exogenous N-Eicosapentaenoylethanolamine in Asthma

A study was conducted on the regulatory effect of N-eicosapentaenoylethanolamine (EPEA) on the modification of the fatty acid (FA) composition of leukocytes in patients with asthma, in comparison with the effect of eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester (EPEE). The FA composition of leukocytes was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, both with and without the addition of experimental compounds. It was found that under the influence of EPEA, the FA composition of leukocytes undergoes more substantial changes: compared to the effect of EPEE, the total level of saturated FAs was 10% lower, monounsaturated FAs were 8% higher, and polyunsaturated FAs were 14% higher. Furthermore, in the samples with the addition of EPEA, an increase in eicosapentaenoic acid level was noted alongside a decrease in arachidonic acid level, which was not observed in the EPEE-treated samples. The evaluation of desaturation and elongation indices, based on product/substrate ratios, revealed a pronounced stimulatory effect of EPEA on the activity of enzymes of FA metabolism. The established changes indicate the potential of exogenous EPEA as a regulator of the FA balance of immune blood cells, which could be used to develop a strategy for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases.