Could the fatty acid DGLA protect against atherosclerosis?

Evaluation of the anti-atherogenic therapeutic potential of dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid in vivo and delineation of the underlying molecular mechanisms

Dr Dipak Ramji and colleagues at Cardiff University are studying atherosclerosis, a condition where arteries build up with fatty deposits and narrow, leading to serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes. Despite better treatments that have reduced the number of people dying from the disease, people are still at high risk of developing heart disease. We urgently need to develop new drugs to prevent or treat atherosclerosis. Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) is a polyunsaturated fatty acid found in trace amounts in animal products. Dr Ramji has found that it blocks several key associated with atherosclerosis in cells grown in the lab. In this project, he will work out if and how DGLA protects against disease by preventing several inflammatory and other processes that happen in atherosclerosis. This research will reveal how DGLA protects against atherosclerosis, if it can prevent atherosclerosis development in mice with this disease, and study exactly how it works. Dr Ramji will find out if this fatty acid will not only prevent atherosclerosis developing and progressing, but could also stabilise the fatty deposits within diseases arteries and remove them.