(±)17(18)-EpETE

The epoxygenase pathway is one of the three major branches of eicosanoid biosynthesis.^1,2 However, the cytochrome P450 metabolites of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid have been little studied relative to arachidonate epoxygenase metabolites. (±)17(18)-EpETE is biosynthesized by the stereospecific epoxidation of the ω-3 bond of EPA. (±)17(18)-EpETE at 100 nM was found to be a potent and selective activator of BK-type calcium activated potassium ion channels in vascular smooth muscle cells.³ It is possible that some of the physiologic effects of fish oil-enhanced diets could be due to this epoxygenase metabolite.

1.Fitzpatrick, F.A., and Murphy, R.C.Cytochrome P-450 metabolism of arachidonic acid: Formation and biological actions of 'epoxygenase'-derived eicosanoidsPharmacol. Rev.40(4)229-241(1989) 2.Oliw, E.H., Bylund, J., and Herman, C.Bisallylic hydroxylation and epoxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids by cytochrome P450Lipids31(10)1003-1021(1996) 3.Lauterbach, B., Barbosa-Sicard, E., Wang, M.H., et al.Cytochrome P450-dependent eicosapentaenoic acid metabolites are novel BK channel activatorsHypertension39(2 Pt. 2)609-613(2002)