Formation of 1a, 1b dihomoprostaglandin E2 by rabbit renal intersititial cell cultures

Advances in Our Understanding of Oxylipins Derived from Dietary PUFAs

Oxylipins formed from polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are the main mediators of PUFA effects in the body. They are formed via cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase, and cytochrome P450 pathways, resulting in the formation of prostaglandins, thromboxanes, mono-, di-, and tri-hydroxy fatty acids (FAs), epoxy FAs, lipoxins, eoxins, hepoxilins, resolvins, protectins (also called neuroprotectins in the brain), and maresins. In addition to the well-known eicosanoids derived from arachidonic acid, recent developments in lipidomic methodologies have raised awareness of and interest in the large number of oxylipins formed from other PUFAs, including those from the essential FAs and the longer-chain n-3 (ω-3) PUFAs. Oxylipins have essential roles in normal physiology and function, but can also have detrimental effects. Compared with the oxylipins derived from n-3 PUFAs, oxylipins from n-6 PUFAs generally have greater activity and more inflammatory, vasoconstrictory, and proliferative effects, although there are notable exceptions. Because PUFA composition does not necessarily reflect oxylipin composition, comprehensive analysis of the oxylipin profile is necessary to understand the overall physiologic effects of PUFAs mediated through their oxylipins. These analyses should include oxylipins derived from linoleic and α-linolenic acids, because these largely unexplored bioactive oxylipins constitute more than one-half of oxylipins present in tissues. Because collated information on oxylipins formed from different PUFAs is currently unavailable, this review provides a detailed compilation of the main oxylipins formed from PUFAs and describes their functions. Much remains to be elucidated in this emerging field, including the discovery of more oxylipins, and the understanding of the differing biological potencies, kinetics, and isomer-specific activities of these novel PUFA metabolites.

Carbonyl Reductases and Pluripotent Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases of the Short-chain Dehydrogenase/reductase Superfamily

Carbonyl reduction of aldehydes, ketones, and quinones to their corresponding hydroxy derivatives plays an important role in the phase I metabolism of many endogenous (biogenic aldehydes, steroids, prostaglandins, reactive lipid peroxidation products) and xenobiotic (pharmacologic drugs, carcinogens, toxicants) compounds. Carbonyl-reducing enzymes are grouped into two large protein superfamilies: the aldo-keto reductases (AKR) and the short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases (SDR). Whereas aldehyde reductase and aldose reductase are AKRs, several forms of carbonyl reductase belong to the SDRs. In addition, there exist a variety of pluripotent hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (HSDs) of both superfamilies that specifically catalyze the oxidoreduction at different positions of the steroid nucleus and also catalyze, rather nonspecifically, the reductive metabolism of a great number of nonsteroidal carbonyl compounds. The present review summarizes recent findings on carbonyl reductases and pluripotent HSDs of the SDR protein superfamily.

Arachidonate-derived dihomoprostaglandin production observed in endotoxin-stimulated macrophage-like cells

Eicosanoids, including the prostaglandins, leukotrienes, hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids, epoxyeicosatetraenoic acids, and related compounds, are biosynthetic, bioactive mediators derived from arachidonic acid (AA), a 20:4(n-6) fatty acid. We have developed a comprehensive and sensitive mass spectral analysis to survey eicosanoid release from endotoxin-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage-like cells that is capable of detecting over 70 diverse eicosanoids and eicosanoid metabolites, should they be present. We now address the question: Are biologically significant eicosanoids being overlooked? Herein, we illustrate a general approach to diverse isotope metabolic profiling of labeled exogenous substrates using mass spectrometry (DIMPLES/MS), demonstrated for one substrate (AA) and its resultant products (eicosanoids). RAW cells were incubated in medium supplemented with deuterium-labeled AA. When the cells are stimulated, two sets of eicosanoids are produced, one from endogenous AA and the other from the supplemented (exogenous) deuterium-labeled form. This produces a signature mass spectral "doublet" pattern, allowing for a comprehensive and diverse eicosanoid search requiring no previous knowledge or assumptions as to what these species may be, in contrast to traditional methods. We report herein observing unexpected AA metabolites generated by the cells, some of which may constitute novel bioactive eicosanoids or eicosanoid inactivation metabolites, as well as demonstrating differing metabolic pathways for the generation of isomeric prostaglandins and potential peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor activators. Unexpectedly, we report observing a series of 1a, 1b-dihomologue prostaglandins, products of adrenic acid (22:4(n-6)), resulting from the two-carbon elongation of AA by the RAW cells.

Synthesis of dihomoprostaglandins from adrenic acid (7,10,13,16-docosatetraenoic acid) by human endothelial cells

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were found to contain adrenic acid (22:4) in their cellular lipids. Since this fatty acid may be metabolized by cyclooxygenase in the kidney, the metabolism of adrenic acid was studied in endothelial cell cultures. [14C]Adrenic acid was metabolized to several more polar metabolites. Two of these metabolites co-migrated on HPLC with 1 alpha,1 beta-dihomo-8-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha (the metabolite of 1 alpha, 1 beta-dihomoprostaglandin I2) and 1 alpha,1 beta-dihomoprostaglandin E2. Indomethacin (10(-5) M) inhibited the synthesis of these metabolites. When cells were treated with adrenic acid (3 X 10(-5) M), a peak that co-migrated with dihomo-8-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha was detected by radioimmunoassay using an antiserum directed against 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha. The presence of dihomo-8-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha was confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Immunoreactive peaks that co-migrated with dihomoprostaglandins E2 and F2 alpha were identified with antisera against prostaglandin E2 and prostaglandin F2 alpha, respectively. [14C]Arachidonic acid was metabolized to [14C]prostaglandin F2 alpha, 6-keto[14C]prostaglandin F1 alpha, and [14C]prostaglandin E2. Similar results were found with unlabelled arachidonic acid using specific antisera. When the two fatty acids were combined, adrenic acid reduced the metabolism of arachidonic acid. The culture media from endothelial cells inhibited thrombin-induced platelet aggregation, an effect blocked by aspirin. The inhibitory activity of the media was enhanced when arachidonic acid was added to the cells, but it was reduced by adrenic acid. Both prostaglandin I2 and dihomoprostaglandin I2 inhibited platelet aggregation, but prostaglandin I2 was 100-times more potent. We conclude that adrenic acid is metabolized in human endothelial cells to 1 alpha, 1 beta-dihomoprostaglandins and can compete with endogenous arachidonic acid for conversion by cyclooxygenase. These findings suggest that adrenic acid may reduce the formation of prostaglandin I2 by the blood vessel.

A PGE2-derivative for quantitative gas chromatographic mass spectrometric measurement in the selected ion monitoring mode

The quantification of prostaglandin PGE2 by gas chromatography mass spectrometry in the form of an easily prepared derivative is described. After extraction and purification of biological samples the compound was derivatized in two steps to 9-enol-PGE2- methylester - trimethylsilylether , 9-enol-PGE2-Me- TMS3 . The molecular ion at m/z 582 with 40% relative abundance and the fragment ion at m/z 492 with 100% relative abundance permit a specific and sensitive evaluation in the selected ion monitoring mode. The high masses selected lie above the biological background. The calibration curve produced by adding known amounts (10-200 ng) of PGE2 to blank human urine and with (2H4)-deuterated PGE2 as internal standard gave a linear correlation. The separation from biological impurities was obtained on a 50 m glass capillary column and resulted in sharp and symmetrical peaks.