Characteristic distribution of eicosapentaenoic acid in human abdominal aortic aneurysm wall

Abstract

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a vascular disease in which the abdominal aorta gradually dilates. Dilation of AAA is associated with the aortic wall weakness induced by chronic inflammation (1). Several epidemiologic studies reported that consumption of fish is associated with the prevention of AAA. Animal and human studies suggested n-3 PUFAs can protect against AAA development and rupture. These previous data provide evidence to suggest the suppressive effect of n-3 PUFAs on AAA, which has no pharmaceuticals; however, the distribution of n-3 PUFAs in the aorta is a “missing link” to understand mechanisms underlying suppressive effects of them.