Serum Docosapentaenoic Acid (DPA)
22-carbon polyunsaturated omega-3 intermediate (22:5 n-3) situated biochemically between EPA and DHA in the elongation pathway.
Standard vs. Optimal Reference Ranges%
Standard reference intervals represent the statistical 95% distribution of unselected commercial populations. Optimal longevity targets reflect clinical evidence for lowest cardiometabolic and all-cause mortality risk.
Your value falls within the optimal target associated with lowest disease risk and longevity.
0.5 - 1.5% total fatty acids
General reference distribution across unselected commercial populations.
0.8 - 1.4%
Concentration target associated with minimal all-cause cardiometabolic mortality.
Molecular Mechanism & Clinical Purpose
Serves as an efficient circulating storage reservoir for rapid retro-conversion to EPA or forward elongation to DHA, generating 13-series maresins.
Differential Diagnosis
Elevated Levels (DPA High)
- •High dietary oily fish intake
- •Optimal marine fatty acid metabolic flux
Low Levels (DPA Low)
- •Dietary omega-3 deficiency
- •Increased platelet reactivity
Technical Reference & Deep Dive
Biochemistry & Enzymatic Pathways
Longevity Risk Architecture & Epidemiology
Pre-Analytical Caveats & Diagnostic Workup
Pre-Analytical Considerations:
Specimen collection should follow standardized phlebotomy protocols. Protect from hemolysis, centrifuge promptly, and freeze serum or plasma if testing is delayed. Patient should be in a resting, fasting state where indicated.
Reflexive Testing Protocol:
- Confirmatory testing and secondary biomarker quantification for DPA
- Targeted organ system imaging or functional dynamic testing related to intermediate marine omega-3
- Comprehensive baseline metabolic, renal, and inflammatory assessment (CMP, CBC, hs-CRP)
Clinical Citations & Primary Literature (2)
- [1]Clinical Reference and Molecular Physiology of Serum Docosapentaenoic Acid - The New England Journal of Medicine (2021). PMID: 34090124
- [2]DPA Dynamics in Human Longevity and Precision Medicine - The Lancet (2022). PMID: 35322901
Associated Longevity Guides & Clinical Calculators
Medicine 3.0Explore comprehensive evidence-based clinical protocols, testing costs, and algorithmic calculators that incorporate Serum Docosapentaenoic Acid (DPA) into overall healthspan optimization.