Conversion of 8,11,14-eicosatrienoic acid to 11,12-epoxy-10-hydroxy-8-heptadecenoic acid by aorta.

Particulate fractions from fetal calf aorta convert 8,11,14-eicosatrienoic acid to a number of products derived from 12-hydroperoxy-8,10-heptadecadienoic acid, including 2 stereoisomers of 11,12-epoxy-10-hydroxy-8-heptadecenoic acid (11,12e-10h-17:1), which were identified by mass spectrometry. In the early stages of the reaction, considerable amounts of the epoxyhydroxy isomers were formed, but the amounts of these products decreased as the reaction continued. There was a concomitant increase in the formation of 10,11,12-trihydroxy-8-heptadecenoic acid (10,11,12th-17:1), which was present only in small amounts initially. Incubation of the 2 isomers of 11,12e-10h-17:1 with microsomal and cytosolic fractions resulted in their conversion to isomers of 10,11,12th-17:1. No hydrolysis of the epoxides occurred in the presence of boiled tissue fractions.