Pharmacokinetics of ethyl eicosapentaenoate (EPA-E)

Abstract

Eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester (EPA-E) with a high degree of purity is marketed as a medical supply. In vivo pharmacokinetics of EPA-E is examined in detail via animal experiments. Orally administered eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is found in triglyceride (TG) in the rat intestine, and is absorbed via the lymphatic system. Moreover, EPA is gradually detected in cholesterol ester and phospholipid (PL) in blood. Whereas EPA is found in low density fractionation of lipoprotein such as chylomicron in the lymph fluid, it gradually transitions to high density fractionation in systemic circulation. EPA is distributed to several tissues such as fat, liver, heart, brain and aorta. Whereas EPA and its metabolized fatty acids are