Resolvin E3 (RvE3) Inhibits the Progression of Endometriosis

In an experimental study, 15/12-LOX-KO mice (animals with 15/12 lipoxygenase enzyme deficiency) and wild mice submitted to endometriosis received oral EPA to investigate the effects of 12/15-LOX-related mediators in endometriotic lesions and compared with wild mice subjected to endometriosis which did not receive oral EPA. The administration of EPA significantly decreased the number of endometriotic lesions in wild mice, although the suppressive effect of EPA on the development of endometriotic lesions was not observed in 12/15-LOX-KO mice. In addition, the number of endometriotic lesions was similar in 12/15-LOX-KO mice treated or not with EPA. Interestingly, the EPA-derived bioactive mediator 18S/R-RvE3, which was biosynthesized from 18-HEPE (hydroxyicosapentaenoic acid) by 15/12-LOX was increased in the peritoneal fluid of wild mice following the administration of EPA. However, this increase was not observed in 12/15-LOX-KO mice, suggesting that RvE3 may be involved in modulating endometriotic lesions [40].
