A Novel Orally Available Delta-5 Desaturase Inhibitor Prevents Atherosclerotic Lesions Accompanied by Changes in Fatty Acid Composition and Eicosanoid Production in ApoE Knockout Mice

J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2019 Nov;371(2):290-298. doi: 10.1124/jpet.119.259846. Epub 2019 Sep 5.

Abstract

Delta-5 desaturase (D5D), encoded by fatty acid desaturase 1 (Fads1), is the rate-limiting enzyme for the conversion from dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) to arachidonic acid (AA) in the ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid pathway. Several AA-derived eicosanoids (e.g., prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes) and DGLA-derived eicosanoids are reported to promote and/or prevent atherosclerosis progression through, at least in part, its proinflammatory or anti-inflammatory effects. To elucidate the effects of D5D inhibition by a D5D inhibitor on atherosclerosis, we generated a potent, orally available and selective D5D inhibitor, 2-(2,2,3,3,3-Pentafluoropropoxy)-3-[4-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy) phenyl]-5,7-dihydro-3H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-4,6-dione, compound-326, and examined its effects on Western-diet fed ApoE knockout (KO) mice. Oral administration of compound-326 (3-10 mg/kg per day for 15 weeks) significantly inhibited the progression of atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta without affecting plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Compound-326 significantly decreased AA levels, while it increased DGLA levels in the liver and the blood accompanied by decreases in AA-derived eicosanoid production and increases in DGLA-derived eicosanoid production from the blood cells. We conclude that compound-326 prevents the progression of atherosclerosis in Western-diet fed ApoE KO mice by modulating a profile of eicosanoid production, suggesting that D5D inhibitors can be a novel remedy for preventing atherosclerosis and subsequent cardiovascular events. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This study shows a D5D-specific and orally available potent inhibitor provided the first evidence to support the concept that D5D inhibitors will be a novel remedy for preventing the progression of atherosclerosis.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Atherosclerosis / drug therapy*
  • Atherosclerosis / metabolism*
  • Delta-5 Fatty Acid Desaturase
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Eicosanoids / biosynthesis*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Fatty Acid Desaturases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Fatty Acid Desaturases / metabolism*
  • Fatty Acids / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, Knockout, ApoE

Substances

  • Delta-5 Fatty Acid Desaturase
  • Eicosanoids
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Fatty Acids
  • Fatty Acid Desaturases