The D-PUFAs are currently undergoing clinical trials in several human indications.
In general, reinforced by deuterium polyunsaturated fatty acids (D-PUFA) drugs:
* are deuterated forms of natural, essential PUFAs, identical to natural PUFAs bar one key property: D-PUFAs are significantly more resistant to lipid peroxidation;
* are chemically modified (novel chemical entity), but transported, processed and incorporated into membranes “naturally” by the body. Deuterium is naturally present in all humans, so H in place of H is recognized by the body as a “normal” hydrogen subtype;
* stop the chain reaction through a novel non-antioxidant mechanism at low, easily attainable levels, with no overt toxicity-related side effects.
* are delivered orally. PUFAs are essential nutrients, so the body avidly takes up dosed D-PUFA drugs, building up a therapeutic level in a matter of weeks;
* Favorably modulate important pathways such as ferroptosis, by inhibiting lipid peroxidation.