Nomenclature of isoprostanes: a proposal.

We have proposed a nomenclature system for the isoprostanes, a new class of natural products formed in vivo by the free-radical peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Our proposed nomenclature is based on the assignment of four isoprostanes, 1, 9, 17, and 25, as representatives of the four classes of isoprostanes derived from arachidonic acid (AA). We have attempted as much as possible to retain elements from the familiar prostaglandin nomenclature. In this proposal, we have used the abbreviation i.p. for isoprostane. We have classified isoprostane classes or types based on omega-carbon as being the starting reference. Roman numerals I-VI refer the six types of isoprostanes derived from eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and III-VI refer to the four types derived from AA. This nomenclature can be applied to isoprostanes derived from other PUFAs also.