Determination of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids in human red blood cells and plasma by GC/MS in the NICI mode

Higher Epoxyeicosatrienoic Acids in Cardiomyocytes-Specific CYP2J2 Transgenic Mice Are Associated with Improved Myocardial Remodeling

Elevated cis-epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) are known to be cardioprotective during ischemia-reperfusion injury in cardiomyocyte-specific overexpressing cytochrome P450 2J2 (CYP2J2) transgenic (Tr) mice. Using the same Tr mice, we measured changes in cardiac and erythrocyte membranes EETs following myocardial infarction (MI) to determine if they can serve as reporters for cardiac events. Cardiac function was also assessed in Tr vs. wild-type (WT) mice in correlation with EET changes two weeks following MI. Tr mice (N = 25, 16 female, nine male) had significantly higher cardiac cis- and trans-EETs compared to their WT counterparts (N = 25, 18 female, seven male). Total cardiac cis-EETs in Tr mice were positively correlated with total cis-EETs in erythrocyte membrane, but there was no correlation with trans-EETs or in WT mice. Following MI, cis- and trans-EETs were elevated in the erythrocyte membrane and cardiac tissue in Tr mice, accounting for the improved cardiac outcomes observed. Tr mice showed significantly better myocardial remodeling following MI, evidenced by higher % fractional shortening, smaller infarct size, lower reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, reduced fibrosis and apoptosis, and lower pulmonary edema. A positive correlation between total cardiac cis-EETs and total erythrocyte membrane cis-EETs in a Tr mouse model suggests that erythrocyte cis-EETs may be used as predictive markers for cardiac events. All cis-EET regioisomers displayed similar trends following acute MI; however, the magnitude of change for each regioisomer was markedly different, warranting measurement of each individually.

P450 Eicosanoids and Reactive Oxygen Species Interplay in Brain Injury and Neuroprotection

Significance: Eicosanoids are endogenous lipid mediators that play important roles in brain function and disease. Acute brain injury such as that which occurs in stroke and traumatic brain injury increases the formation of eicosanoids, which, in turn, exacerbate or diminish injury. In chronic neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia (VD), eicosanoid synthetic and metabolizing enzymes are altered, disrupting the balance between neuroprotective and neurotoxic eicosanoids. Recent Advances: Human and experimental studies have established the opposing roles of hydroxy- and epoxyeicosanoids and their potential utility as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in neural injury. Critical Issues: A gap in knowledge remains in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the neurovascular actions of specific eicosanoids, such as specific isomers of epoxyeicosatrienoic (EETs) and hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs). Future Directions: EETs and HETEs exert their actions on brain cells by targeting multiple mechanisms, which include surface G-protein coupled receptors. The identification of high-affinity receptors for EETs and HETEs and their cellular localization in the brain will be a breakthrough in our understanding of these eicosanoids as mediators of cell-cell communications and contributors to brain development, function, and disease. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 28, 987-1007.

Enzymatic and free radical formation of cis- and trans- epoxyeicosatrienoic acids in vitro and in vivo

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) are metabolites of arachidonic acid (AA) oxidation that have important cardioprotective and signaling properties. AA is an ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) that is prone to autoxidation. Although hydroperoxides and isoprostanes are major autoxidation products of AA, EETs are also formed from the largely overlooked peroxyl radical addition mechanism. While autoxidation yields both cis- and trans-EETs, cytochrome P450 (CYP) epoxygenases have been shown to exclusively catalyze the formation of all regioisomer cis-EETs, on each of the double bonds. In plasma and red blood cell (RBC) membranes, cis- and trans-EETs have been observed, and both have multiple physiological functions. We developed a sensitive ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) assay that separates cis- and trans- isomers of EETs and applied it to determine the relative distribution of cis- vs. trans-EETs in reaction mixtures of AA subjected to free radical oxidation in benzene and liposomes in vitro. We also determined the in vivo distribution of EETs in several tissues, including human and mouse heart, and RBC membranes. We then measured EET levels in heart and RBC of young mice compared to old. Formation of EETs in free radical reactions of AA in benzene and in liposomes exhibited time- and AA concentration-dependent increase and trans-EET levels were higher than cis-EETs under both conditions. In contrast, cis-EET levels were overall higher in biological samples. In general, trans-EETs increased with mouse age more than cis-EETs. We propose a mechanism for the non-enzymatic formation of cis- and trans-EETs involving addition of the peroxyl radical to one of AA's double bonds followed by bond rotation and intramolecular homolytic substitution (S_Hi). Enzymatic formation of cis-EETs by cytochrome P450 most likely occurs via a one-step concerted mechanism that does not allow bond rotation. The ability to accurately measure circulating EETs resulting from autoxidation or enzymatic reactions in plasma and RBC membranes will allow for future studies investigating how these important signaling lipids correlate with heart disease outcomes.

A sensitive LC-MS/MS method for the quantification of regioisomers of epoxyeicosatrienoic and dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids in human plasma during endothelial stimulation

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) are vasodilating lipid mediators metabolized into dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids (DHETs) by soluble epoxide hydrolase. We aimed to develop a LC-MS/MS method to quantify EETs and DHETs in human plasma and monitored their levels during vascular endothelial stimulation. Plasma samples, collected from 14 healthy and five hypertensive subjects at baseline and during radial artery endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilatation, were spiked with internal standards. Lipids were then extracted by a modified Bligh and Dyer method and saponified to release bound EETs and DHETs. Samples were purified by a second liquid-liquid extraction and analyzed by LC-MS/MS. The assay allowed identification of (±)8(9)-epoxy-5Z,11Z,14Z-eicosatrienoic acid (8,9-EET); (±)11(12)-epoxy-5Z,8Z,14Z-eicosatrienoic acid (11,12-EET); (±)14(15)-epoxy-5Z,8Z,11Z-eicosatrienoic acid (14,15-EET); (±)8,9-dihydroxy-5Z,11Z,14Z-eicosatrienoic acid (8,9-DHET); (±)11,12-dihydroxy-5Z,8Z,14Z-eicosatrienoic acid (11,12-DHET); and (±)14,15-dihydroxy-5Z,8Z,11Z-eicosatrienoic acid (14,15-DHET). (±)5(6)-epoxy-5Z,11Z,14Z-eicosatrienoic acid (5,6-EET) was virtually undetectable due to its chemical instability. The limits of quantification were 0.25 ng/mL for DHETs and 0.5 ng/mL for EETs. Intra- and inter-assay variations ranged from 1.6 to 13.2%. Heating induced a similar increase in 8,9-EET, 11,12-EET, and 14,15-EET levels and in corresponding DHET levels in healthy but not in hypertensive subjects. We validated a sensitive LC-MS/MS method for measuring simultaneously plasma EET and DHET regioisomers in human plasma and showed its interest for assessing endothelial function.

Exported Epoxide Hydrolases Modulate Erythrocyte Vasoactive Lipids during Plasmodium falciparum Infection

Erythrocytes are reservoirs of important epoxide-containing lipid signaling molecules, including epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs). EETs function as vasodilators and anti-inflammatory modulators in the bloodstream. Bioactive EETs are hydrolyzed to less active diols (dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids) by epoxide hydrolases (EHs). The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum infects host red blood cells (RBCs) and exports hundreds of proteins into the RBC compartment. In this study, we show that two parasite epoxide hydrolases, P. falciparum epoxide hydrolases 1 (PfEH1) and 2 (PfEH2), both with noncanonical serine nucleophiles, are exported to the periphery of infected RBCs. PfEH1 and PfEH2 were successfully expressed in Escherichia coli, and they hydrolyzed physiologically relevant erythrocyte EETs. Mutations in active site residues of PfEH1 ablated the ability of the enzyme to hydrolyze an epoxide substrate. Overexpression of PfEH1 or PfEH2 in parasite-infected RBCs resulted in a significant alteration in the epoxide fatty acids stored in RBC phospholipids. We hypothesize that the parasite disruption of epoxide-containing signaling lipids leads to perturbed vascular function, creating favorable conditions for binding and sequestration of infected RBCs to the microvascular endothelium.

The malaria parasite exports hundreds of proteins into the erythrocyte compartment. However, for most of these proteins, their physiological function is unknown. In this study, we investigate two “hypothetical” proteins of the α/β-hydrolase fold family that share sequence similarity with epoxide hydrolases (EHs)—enzymes that destroy bioactive epoxides. Altering EH expression in parasite-infected erythrocytes resulted in a significant change in the epoxide fatty acids stored in the host cell. We propose that these EH enzymes may help the parasite to manipulate host blood vessel opening and inflame the vessel walls as they pass through the circulation system. Understanding how the malaria parasite interacts with its host RBCs will aid in our ability to combat this deadly disease.

Functional screening for G protein-coupled receptor targets of 14,15-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) are potent vasodilators that play important roles in cardiovascular physiology and disease, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying the biological actions of EETs are not fully understood. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that the actions of EETs are in part mediated via G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling, but the identity of such a receptor has remained elusive. We sought to identify 14,15-EET-responsive GPCRs. A set of 105 clones were expressed in Xenopus oocyte and screened for their ability to activate cAMP-dependent chloride current. Several receptors responded to micromolar concentrations of 14,15-EET, with the top five being prostaglandin receptor subtypes (PTGER₂, PTGER₄, PTGFR, PTGDR, PTGER₃IV). Overall, our results indicate that multiple low-affinity 14,15-EET GPCRs are capable of increasing cAMP levels following 14,15-EET stimulation, highlighting the potential for cross-talk between prostanoid and other ecosanoid GPCRs. Our data also indicate that none of the 105 GPCRs screened met our criteria for a high-affinity receptor for 14,15-EET.

Apocynin improving cardiac remodeling in chronic renal failure disease is associated with up-regulation of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids

Cardiac remodeling is one of the most common cardiac abnormalities and associated with a high mortality in chronic renal failure (CRF) patients. Apocynin, a nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase inhibitor, has been showed cardio-protective effects. However, whether apocynin can improve cardiac remodeling in CRF and what is the underlying mechanism are unclear. In the present study, we enrolled 94 participants. In addition, we used 5/6 nephrectomized rats to mimic cardiac remodeling in CRF. Serum levels of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) and its mainly metabolic enzyme-soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) were measured. The results showed that the serum levels of EETs were significantly decreased in renocardiac syndrome participants (P < 0.05). In 5/6 nephrectomized CRF model, the ratio of left ventricular weight / body weight, left ventricular posterior wall thickness, and cardiac interstitial fibrosis were significantly increased while ejection fraction significantly decreased (P < 0.05). All these effects could partly be reversed by apocynin. Meanwhile, we found during the process of cardiac remodeling in CRF, apocynin significantly increased the reduced serum levels of EETs and decreased the mRNA and protein expressions of sEH in the heart (P < 0.05). Our findings indicated that the protective effect of apocynin on cardiac remodeling in CRF was associated with the up-regulation of EETs. EETs may be a new mediator for the injury of kidney-heart interactions.

Development and Validation of a High-Throughput Ultrahigh-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Approach for Screening of Oxylipins and Their Precursors

Lipid mediators, highly bioactive compounds synthesized from polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), have a fundamental role in the initiation and signaling of the inflammatory response. Although extensively studied in isolation, only a limited number of analytical methods offer a comprehensive coverage of the oxylipin synthetic cascade applicable to a wide range of human biofluids. We report the development of an ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) assay to quantify oxylipins and their PUFA precursors in 100 μL of human serum, plasma, urine, and cell culture supernatant. A single 15 min UHPLC run enables the quantification of 43 oxylipins and 5 PUFAs, covering pro and anti-inflammatory lipid mediators synthesized across the cyclooxygenase (COX), lipoxygenase (LOX), and cytochrome P450 (CYP450) pathways. The method was validated in multiple biofluid matrixes (serum, plasma, urine, and cell supernatant) and suppliers, ensuring its suitability for large scale metabonomic studies. The approach is accurate, precise, and reproducible (RSD < 15%) over multiple days and concentrations. Very high sensitivity is achieved with limits of quantification inferior to picograms for the majority of analytes (0.05-125 pg) and linear range spanning up to 5 orders of magnitude. This enabled the quantification of the great majority of these analytes at their low endogenous level in human biofluids. We successfully applied the procedure to individuals undergoing a fasting intervention; oxylipin profiles highlighted significantly altered PUFA and inflammatory profiles in accordance with previously published studies as well as offered new insight on the modulation of the biosynthetic cascade responsible for the regulation of oxylipins.

Comprehensive quantitative determination of PUFA-related bioactive lipids for functional lipidomics using high-resolution mass spectrometry

A wide range of biologically active lipids such as eicosanoids, docosanoids, and other lipid mediators are known for their physiological and pathophysiological effects in almost every organ system. It is essential that the full spectrum of these compounds is comprehensively captured, to fully characterize their biological activity. The analytical determination of these lipid mediators is challenging, however, mainly because of their biological diversity and their physicochemical similarity. LC-MS/MS, in particular in combination with high-resolution instruments, is currently the most powerful tool for analysis of lipid mediators. This chapter describes a comprehensive analytical protocol that allows for simultaneous profiling of over 100 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-derived metabolites using a single analytical method from a wide range of biological matrices.

Maternal and fetal epoxyeicosatrienoic acids in normotensive and preeclamptic pregnancies

BACKGROUND

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) and 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) are cytochrome P450 metabolites of arachidonic acid posited to act in the circulatory adaptation to pregnancy and the development of preeclampsia. Red blood cells (RBCs) may function as major contributors of cis- and trans-EETs.

METHODS

We performed paired analyses of EETs, dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids (DHETs), and 20-HETE in RBCs, plasma, and urine from preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant and nonpregnant women. Blood from fetal and maternal circulation was collected. EETs, DHETs, and 20-HETE were analyzed by gas chromatography and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Vascular function and inflammation indices were analyzed.

RESULTS

Plasma EET is higher in normotensive (median, range; 9.9, 6.3-25.2ng/mL n = 29) and preeclamptic (10.9, 6.0-48.0ng/mL, n = 19) women than in nonpregnant controls (7.3, 3.7-10.2ng/mL, n = 19) and correlate with RBC EETs, C-reactive protein, and arterial stiffness. Renal production of EETs, measured as urinary DHETs, was reduced in preeclamptic (4.5, 1.6-24.5ng/mg creatinine) compared to normotensive (11.4, 1.6-44.5ng/mg creatinine) pregnancies. EETs are 3- to 5-fold greater in fetoplacental than in maternal circulation (RBCs 36.6, 13.1-69.4 vs. 12.5, 6.4-12.0ng/10(9) cells; plasma 31.6, 8.5-192.6 vs. 12.0, 6.8-48.0ng/mL). Both cis- and trans-EETs are present in fetal RBCs.

CONCLUSIONS

RBCs contribute to elevated levels of EETs in the fetoplacental circulation. EETs may modulate systemic and fetoplacental hemodynamics in normal and preeclamptic pregnancies. Decreased renal EET generation may be associated with the development of maternal renal dysfunction and hypertension in preeclampsia.

Metabolic products of soluble epoxide hydrolase are essential for monocyte chemotaxis to MCP-1 in vitro and in vivo

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1)-induced monocyte chemotaxis is a major event in inflammatory disease. Our prior studies have demonstrated that MCP-1-dependent chemotaxis requires release of arachidonic acid (AA) by activated cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)). Here we investigated the involvement of AA metabolites in chemotaxis. Neither cyclooxygenase nor lipoxygenase pathways were required, whereas pharmacologic inhibitors of both the cytochrome-P450 (CYP) and the soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) pathways blocked monocyte chemotaxis to MCP-1. To verify specificity, we demonstrated that the CYP and sEH products epoxyeiscosatrienoic acids (EETs) and dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids (DHETs), respectively, restored chemotaxis in the presence of the inhibitors, indicating that sEH-derived products are essential for MCP-1-driven chemotaxis. Importantly, DHETs also rescued chemotaxis in cPLA(2)-deficient monocytes and monocytes with blocked Erk1/2 activity, because Erk controls cPLA(2) activation. The in vitro findings regarding the involvement of CYP/sEH pathways were further validated in vivo using two complementary approaches measuring MCP-1-dependent chemotaxis in mice. These observations reveal the importance of sEH in MCP-1-regulated monocyte chemotaxis and may explain the observed therapeutic value of sEH inhibitors in treatment of inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, pain, and even carcinogenesis. Their effectiveness, often attributed to increasing EET levels, is probably influenced by the impairment of DHET formation and inhibition of chemotaxis.

Impaired role of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids in the regulation of basal conduit artery diameter during essential hypertension

In young healthy subjects, epoxyeicosatrienoic acids synthesized by endothelial cytochrome P450 epoxygenases maintain basal conduit artery diameter during altered NO availability. Whether this compensatory mechanism is effective during essential hypertension is unknown. Radial artery diameter, blood flow, and mean wall shear stress were determined in 14 nontreated essential hypertensive patients and 14 normotensive control subjects during 8 minutes of brachial infusion for inhibitors of cytochrome P450 epoxygenases (fluconazole, 0.4 µmol/min) and NO synthase (N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine, 8 µmol/min) alone and in combination. In controls, the radial artery diameter was reduced by fluconazole (-0.034 ± 0.012 mm) and N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (-0.037 ± 0.010 mm) and to a larger extent by their combination (-0.137 ± 0.011 mm), demonstrating a synergic effect. In contrast, the radial diameter in hypertensive patients was not affected by fluconazole (0.010 ± 0.014 mm) but was reduced by N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (-0.091 ± 0.008 mm) to a larger extent than in controls. In parallel, N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine decreased local plasma nitrite to a lesser extent in hypertensive patients (-14 ± 5 nmol/L) than in controls (-50 ± 10 nmol/L). Moreover, the addition of fluconazole to N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine did not further decrease radial diameter in patients (-0.086 ± 0.011 mm). Accordingly, fluconazole significantly decreased local epoxyeicosatrienoic acid plasma level in controls (-2.0 ± 0.6 ng/mL) but not in patients (-0.9 ± 0.4 ng/mL). Inhibitors effects on blood flow and endothelium-independent dilatation to sodium nitroprusside were similar between groups. These results show that, in contrast to normotensive subjects, epoxyeicosatrienoic acids did not contribute to the regulation of basal conduit artery diameter and did not compensate for altered NO availability to maintain this diameter in essential hypertensive patients.

Epoxyeicosatrienoic Acids Contribute With Altered Nitric Oxide and Endothelin-1 Pathways to Conduit Artery Endothelial Dysfunction in Essential Hypertension

Background—

We sought to clarify, using functional and biological approaches, the role of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids, nitric oxide (NO)/reactive oxygen species balance, and endothelin-1 in conduit artery endothelial dysfunction during essential hypertension.

Methods and Results—

Radial artery diameter and mean wall shear stress were determined in 28 untreated patients with essential hypertension and 30 normotensive control subjects during endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilatation induced by hand skin heating. The role of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids and NO was assessed with the brachial infusion of inhibitors of cytochrome P450 epoxygenases (fluconazole) and NO synthase ( N G -monomethyl- l -arginine [L-NMMA]). Compared with controls, hypertensive patients exhibited a decreased flow-mediated dilatation in response to postischemic hyperemia as well as to heating, as shown by the lesser slope of their diameter–shear stress relationship. In controls, heating-induced flow-mediated dilatation was reduced by fluconazole, L-NMMA, and, to a larger extent, by L-NMMA+fluconazole. In patients, flow-mediated dilatation was not affected by fluconazole and was reduced by L-NMMA and L-NMMA+fluconazole to a lesser extent than in controls. Furthermore, local plasma epoxyeicosatrienoic acids increased during heating in controls (an effect diminished by fluconazole) but not in patients. Plasma nitrite, an indicator of NO availability, increased during heating in controls (an effect abolished by L-NMMA) and, to a lesser extent, in patients, whereas, inversely, reactive oxygen species increased more in patients (an effect diminished by L-NMMA). Plasma endothelin-1 decreased during heating in controls but not in patients.

Conclusions—

These results show that an impaired role of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids contributes, together with an alteration in NO/reactive oxygen species balance and endothelin-1 pathway, to conduit artery endothelial dysfunction in essential hypertension.

Clinical Trial Registration—

https://www.eudract.ema.europa.eu . Unique identifier: RCB2007-A001–10-53.

Soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibition improves myocardial perfusion and function in experimental heart failure

The study addressed the hypothesis that soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibition, which increases cardiovascular protective epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), exerts beneficial effects in an established chronic heart failure (CHF) model. In CHF rats, left ventricular (LV) function, perfusion and remodeling were assessed using MRI and invasive hemodynamics after 42-day (starting 8 days after coronary ligation) and delayed 3-day (starting 47 days after coronary ligation) treatments with the sEH inhibitor AUDA (twice 0.25 mg/day). Delayed 3-day and 42-day AUDA increased plasma EETs demonstrating the effective inhibition of sEH. Delayed 3-day and 42-day AUDA enhanced cardiac output without change in arterial pressure, thus reducing total peripheral resistance. Both treatment periods increased the slope of the LV end-systolic pressure-volume relation, but only 42-day AUDA decreased LV end-diastolic pressure, relaxation constant Tau and the slope of the LV end-diastolic pressure-volume relation, associated with a reduced LV diastolic volume and collagen density. Delayed 3-day and, to a larger extent, 42-day AUDA increased LV perfusion associated with a decreased LV hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha. Both treatment periods decreased reactive oxygen species level and increased reduced-oxidized glutathione ratio. Finally, MSPPOH, an inhibitor of the EET-synthesizing enzyme cytochrome epoxygenases, abolished the beneficial effects of 3-day AUDA on LV function and perfusion. Augmentation of EET availability by pharmacological inhibition of sEH increases LV diastolic and systolic functions in established CHF. This notably results from short-term processes, i.e. increased LV perfusion, reduced LV oxidative stress and peripheral vasodilatation, but also from long-term effects, i.e. reduced LV remodeling.

Increases in plasma trans-EETs and blood pressure reduction in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) are vasodilator, natriuretic, and antiinflammatory lipid mediators. Both cis- and trans-EETs are stored in phospholipids and in red blood cells (RBCs) in the circulation; the maximal velocity (V(max)) of trans-EET hydrolysis by soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) is threefold that of cis-EETs. Because RBCs of the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) exhibit increased sEH activity, a deficiency of trans-EETs in the SHR was hypothesized to increase blood pressure (BP). This prediction was fulfilled, since sEH inhibition with cis-4-[4-(3-adamantan-1-ylureido)cyclohexyloxy]benzoic acid (AUCB; 2 mg·kg(-1)·day(-1) for 7 days) in the SHR reduced mean BP from 176 ± 8 to 153 ± 5 mmHg (P < 0.05), whereas BP in the control Wistar-Kyoto rat (WKY) was unaffected. Plasma levels of EETs in the SHR were lower than in the age-matched control WKY (16.4 ± 1.6 vs. 26.1 ± 1.8 ng/ml; P < 0.05). The decrease in BP in the SHR treated with AUCB was associated with an increase in plasma EETs, which was mostly accounted for by increasing trans-EET from 4.1 ± 0.2 to 7.9 ± 1.5 ng/ml (P < 0.05). Consistent with the effect of increased plasma trans-EETs and reduced BP in the SHR, the 14,15-trans-EET was more potent (ED(50) 10(-10) M; maximum dilation 59 ± 15 μm) than the cis-isomer (ED(50) 10(-9) M; maximum dilation 30 ± 11 μm) in relaxing rat preconstricted arcuate arteries. The 11,12-EET cis- and trans-isomers were equipotent dilators as were the 8,9-EET isomers. In summary, inhibition of sEH resulted in a twofold increase in plasma trans-EETs and reduced mean BP in the SHR. The greater vasodilator potency of trans- vs. cis-EETs may contribute to the antihypertensive effects of sEH inhibitors.

Comprehensive lipidomics analysis of bioactive lipids in complex regulatory networks

In the present work we describe the development of an analytical technique for simultaneous profiling of over 100 biochemically related lipid mediators in biological samples. A multistep procedure was implemented to extract eicosanoids and other bioactive lipids from the biological matrix, chromatographically separate them using fast reversed-phase liquid chromatography, tentatively identify new candidate eicosanoids through a matching process of retention times, isotope distribution patterns, and high-resolution orbitrap MS/MS fragmentation patterns, and subsequently quantify tentative candidates by means of analytical reference standards. Key new aspects of this profiling technique included the classification of bioactive lipids into 12 groups according to their calculated exact masses and the development of optimized liquid chromatographic conditions for these groups to achieve sufficient separation of the numerous isobaric and isomeric species, many of which exhibited virtually identical collision-induced dissociation behavior. Importantly, no analytical standards were required at this screening stage of the assay, and tentative identifications were achieved by matching results to selected reference species from each of the groups. The analytical figures of merit for the orbitrap assay such as linear dynamic range, limit of detection, limit of quantitation, and precision demonstrated that the performance of the assay was very similar to that of a quadrupole linear ion trap assay, which was used for validation purposes. The method allowed us to examine eicosanoid profiles within the signaling cascade in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells under basal conditions and following arachidonic acid stimulation. The preliminary screening based on high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry data along with isotope pattern and retention time matching revealed the presence of 15 bioactive lipids, belonging to a range of prostaglandin, leukotriene, and hydroxy and epoxy fatty acid lipid mediators produced by CLL cells.