Body's Natural Brake on Inflammation Identified, Hinting at Safer Treatments

A human study finds that fat-derived epoxy-oxylipins act as natural brakes on inflammation by preventing the buildup of intermediate monocytes. Blocking the enzyme soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) raises epoxy-oxylipin levels, speeding inflammation resolution and reducing harmful immune cell expansion, with the mechanism involving suppression of the p38 MAPK pathway. This points to safer, targeted therapies for chronic inflammatory diseases like arthritis and cardiovascular conditions.