When scientists added a small amount of a common fatty acid (arachidonic acid) to blood vessel cells in a dish, it didn’t change the levels of two key molecules involved in cell stress and signaling—so it seems this fatty acid doesn’t mess with the cell’s internal balance under these specific conditions.

When you add a specific fat called arachidonic acid to blood vessel cells in a lab, it pushes out another healthy fat called EPA, making EPA much less common in the cell membranes—like a crowded room where one person pushes others out.

When scientists added a specific type of omega-3 fat (DHA) to blood vessel cells in a dish, it made them release a little more of a helpful molecule (nitric oxide) that keeps blood vessels relaxed, but didn’t change a harmful molecule (peroxynitrite) — and this effect was smaller than what another omega-3 fat (EPA) does.

When scientists added a type of omega-3 fatty acid called EPA to blood vessel cells in a dish, the cells made more of a helpful molecule (nitric oxide) and less of a harmful one (peroxynitrite), which might help keep blood vessels healthier and less inflamed.