Title:Drug Therapy for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Utilizing Omega-3 Unsaturated Fatty Acids and Their Derivatives
Volume: 19
Issue: 11
Author(s): Daisuke Akagi*, Katsuyuki Hoshina, Toshiaki Watanabe and Micheal S. Conte
Affiliation:
- Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco CA 94117,United States
Keywords:
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), drug therapy, inflammation, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), resolvin,
intraluminal thrombus.
Abstract: Background: Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are life-threatening because of the potential
for rupture, resulting in death. The current standard treatment for AAA is surgery, comprising
laparotomic graft replacement and endovascular repair. However, because surgery carries the risk of
major complications and re-intervention, drug therapies are desirable because they may reduce the occurrence
of enlargement and rupture.
Objective: Recent research shows that the progression of AAA is related to inflammatory reactions,
especially those in the NF-κB pathway. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) show antiinflammatory
effects. Some derivatives of omega-3 PUFA are known as specialized pro-resolving
lipid mediators (SPM) such as resolvins. They play an important role in resolving inflammation.
Conclusion: Omega-3 PUFA and SPM may show promised effects for drug treatment of AAA.