Prominent docosanoid metabolites of DPA and n-3 DHA are members of the specialized pro-resolving mediators class of polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolites that possess potent anti-inflammation, tissue healing, and other activities.
Potently bioactive agents of the specialized proresolving mediator class include: These DHA metabolites possess anti-inflammation and tissue-protection activities in animal models of inflammatory diseases; they are proposed to inhibit innate immune responses and thereby to protect from and to resolve a wide range of inflammatory responses in animals and humans.
These metabolites are also proposed to contribute to the anti-inflammatory and other beneficial effects of dietary omega-3 fatty acids by being metabolized to them.
These metabolites have been used mainly as biomarkers of oxidative stress that are formed in nerve tissues of the central nervous system.
17-HDHA exhibits potent in vitro as well as in vivo (animal model) anti-inflammatory activity while 17-HpDHA and to a lesser extent 17-HDHA inhibit the growth of cultured human breast cancer cells.