Omega-3 acid ethyl esters, like other omega-3 fatty acid based drugs, appears to reduce production of triglycerides in the liver, and to enhance clearance of triglycerides from circulating very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) particles; the way it does that is not clear, but potential mechanisms include increased breakdown of fatty acids; inhibition of diglyceride acyltransferase which is involved in biosynthesis of triglycerides in the liver; and increased activity of lipoprotein lipase in blood.[11] [2] The synthesis of triglycerides is reduced in the liver as EPA and DHA are poor substrates for the enzymes responsible for triglyceride synthesis.