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The freshwater diatom Asterionella formosa (Bacillariophyceae) produces octa-1,3E,5Z-triene (6) (fucoserratene), previously identified as the sexual pheromone of the brown seaweed Fucus serratus. Fucoserratene is biosynthesised from eicosa-5,8,11,14,17-pentaenoic acid (7) by oxidative cleavage of the corresponding 12-hydroperoxy intermediate 8. The biosynthetic sequence was established using eicosa5,8,11,14-tetraen-17-ynoic acid (18), a structural analogue of 7, which was converted to octa-1,3E-dien-5-yne (21), a structural analogue of 6, by homogenates of Asterionella formosa. In addition, a general approach to highly unsaturated eicosanoids from arachidonic acid is described.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) causes severe morbidity and mortality for which new therapeutic strategies are needed. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), arachidonic acid (ARA), and their metabolites have various effects in kidney injury, but their molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, we report that 14 (15)-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid [14 (15)-EET] and 19 (20)-epoxydocosapentaenoic acid [19 (20)-EDP], the major epoxide metabolites of ARA and DHA, respectively, have contradictory effects on kidney injury in a murine model of ischemia/ reperfusion (I/R)-caused AKI. Specifically, 14 (15)-EET mitigated while 19 (20)-EDP exacerbated I/R kidney injury. Manipulation of the endogenous 19 (20)-EDP or 14 (15)-EET by alteration of their degradation or biosynthesis with selective inhibitors resulted in anticipated effects. These observations are supported by renal histological analysis, plasma levels of creatinine and urea nitrogen, and renal NGAL. The 14 (15)-EET significantly reversed the I/R-caused reduction in glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) phosphorylation in murine kidney, dose-dependently inhibited the hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-caused apoptosis of murine renal tubular epithelial cells (mRTECs), and reversed the H/R-caused reduction in GSK3β phosphorylation in mRTECs. In contrast, 19 (20)-EDP dose-dependently promoted H/R-caused apoptosis and worsened the reduction in GSK3β phosphorylation in mRTECs. In addition, 19 (20)-EDP was more metabolically stable than 14 (15)-EET in vivo and in vitro. Overall, these epoxide metabolites of ARA and DHA function conversely in I/R-AKI, possibly through their largely different metabolic stability and their opposite effects in modulation of H/R-caused RTEC apoptosis and GSK3β phosphorylation. This study provides AKI patients with promising therapeutic strategies and clinical cautions.

To examine the effect of changing the length and branching of the end pentyl chain (C5H11) of anandamide (AN), various analogs la-h and 2a-f were synthesized from either the known aldehyde ester 6a or from the alcohol 6b and tested for their pharmacological activity. A reproducible procedure was developed for the conversion of arachidonic acid to 6a or 6b in gram quantities (overall yield 15%). The appropriate tetraene esters 7 were prepared by carrying out a Wittig reaction, between 6a and the ylide generated from the phosphonium salt of the appropriate alkyl halide or between the ylide of 6d (prepared from 6a → 6b → 6c → 6d) and the appropriate alkyl aldehydes. They were then hydrolyzed to the corresponding acids and transformed into AN analogs 1 via their acid chlorides then treated with excess ethanolamine. α-Alkylation of esters 7 gave compounds 8 which were hydrolyzed to the corresponding acids. These acids via their acid chlorides and subsequent treatment with excess fluoroethylamine gave the target compounds 2. In this way analogs 1e and 2a-c were synthesized from 6d while all the remaining analogs were prepared from 6a. In order to assess the optimal length of the alkyl terminus, analogs la-d were prepared and showed moderately high affinities(18-55 nM). However analogs la-c failed to produce significant pharmacological effects at doses up to 30 mg/kg. Analog 1d was found to be a weak partial agonist. The reason for the lack of activity in la-c is presently not clear. Like the THCs, the branching of the end pentyl chain in AN (1e-h) increased potency both in in vitro and in vive activities; the dimethylheptyl (DMH) analog 1e was the most potent in the series. Similar alkyl substitutions were carried out in the fluoro-2-methylanandamide series (2a-f), and all of these analogs had high receptor affinities (1-14 nM), the DMH analog 2a being the most potent. With a few exceptions they showed robust pharmacological effects, and AN-like profiles. It was shown that the SAR of the end pentyl chain in AN is very similar to that of THCs. However, the magnitude of enhanced potency observed when the side chain of THC was changed from straight to branched was not observed when the end chain of AN was similarly changed.

Anandamide (Figure 1a) (arachidonyl ethanolamide, AEA), (5Z,8Z, 11Z, 14Z)-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-5,8,11,14-Eicosatetraenamide, is an endogenous cannabinoid ligand possessing important biological activity. The conformation of AEA in its native receptor binding

Anthracycline chemotherapeutics are highly effective, but their clinical usefulness is hampered by adverse side effects such as cardiotoxicity. Cytochrome P450 2J2 (CYP2J2) is a cytochrome P450 epoxygenase in human cardiomyocytes that converts arachidonic acid (AA) to cardioprotective epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET) regioisomers. Herein, we performed biochemical studies to understand the interaction of anthracycline derivatives (daunorubicin, doxorubicin, epirubicin, idarubicin, 5-iminodaunorubicin, zorubicin, valrubicin, and aclarubicin) with CYP2J2. We utilized fluorescence polarization (FP) to assess whether anthracyclines bind to CYP2J2. We found that aclarubicin bound the strongest to CYP2J2 despite it having large bulky groups. We determined that ebastine competitively inhibits anthracycline binding, suggesting that ebastine and anthracyclines may share the same binding site. Molecular dynamics and ensemble docking revealed electrostatic interactions between the anthracyclines and CYP2J2, contributing to binding stability. In particular, the glycosamine groups in anthracyclines are stabilized by binding to glutamate and aspartate residues in CYP2J2 forming salt bridge interactions. Furthermore, we used iterative ensemble docking schemes to gauge anthracycline influence on EET regioisomer production and anthracycline inhibition on AA metabolism. This was followed by experimental validation of CYP2J2-mediated metabolism of anthracycline derivatives using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry fragmentation analysis and inhibition of CYP2J2-mediated AA metabolism by these derivatives. Taken together, we use both experimental and theoretical methodologies to unveil the interactions of anthracycline derivatives with CYP2J2. These studies will help identify alternative mechanisms of how anthracycline cardiotoxicity may be mediated through the inhibition of cardiac P450, which will aid in the design of new anthracycline derivatives with lower toxicity.

Cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes metabolize arachidonic acid (AA) to several biologically active epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) and hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs). Repurposing clinically-approved drugs could provide safe and readily available means

The endocannabinoids, anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), are arachidonic acid (AA) derivatives that are known to regulate human cardiovascular functions. CYP2J2 is the primary cytochrome P450 in the human heart and is most well known for the metabolism of AA to the biologically active epoxyeicosatrienoic acids. In this study, we demonstrate that both 2-AG and AEA are substrates for metabolism by CYP2J2 epoxygenase in the model membrane bilayers of nanodiscs. Reactions of CYP2J2 with AEA formed four AEA-epoxyeicosatrienoic acids, whereas incubations with 2-AG yielded detectable levels of only two 2-AG epoxides. Notably, 2-AG was shown to undergo enzymatic oxidative cleavage to form AA through a NADPH-dependent reaction with CYP2J2 and cytochrome P450 reductase. The formation of the predominant AEA and 2-AG epoxides was confirmed using microsomes prepared from the left myocardium of porcine and bovine heart tissues. The nuances of the ligand-protein interactions were further characterized using spectral titrations, stopped-flow small-molecule ligand egress, and molecular modeling. The experimental and theoretical data were in agreement, which showed that substitution of the AA carboxylic acid with the 2-AG ester-glycerol changes the binding interaction of these lipids within the CYP2J2 active site, leading to different product distributions. In summary, we present data for the functional metabolomics of AEA and 2-AG by a membrane-bound cardiovascular epoxygenase.

There are provided, inter alia, methods for diagnosis of the extent of neuroinflammation in a subject. The methods include administering an 18F-labeled arachidonic acid to a subject in need thereof, obtaining a positron emission tomography (PET

The present invention provides arachidonic acid (AA) analogs and compositions containing those analogs as active agents for use in analgesic treatments. Various methods of r manufacturing the inventive compounds are provided and pharmaceutical formulations, including injectable and oral dosages, are described. The analogs are additionally useful as antipyretic compositions and in related fever reducing treatments.

Cytochromes P450 (CYPs) metabolize polyun-saturated long-chain fatty acids (PUFA-LC) to several classes of oxygenated metabolites. Through use of human recombinant CYPs, we recently showed that CYP1A1, -2C19, -2D6, -2E1, and -3A4 are mainly hydroxylases, whereas CYP1A2, -2C8, -2C9, and -2J2 are mainly epoxygenases of arachidonic acid (AA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), respectively. It is worth noting that the last double bond of these PUFAs, i.e., ω6 in AA or ω3 in EPA and DHA, respectively, was preferentially epoxidized. In this study, we have characterized the stereoselectivity of this epoxidation reaction by comparison with the PUFA-LC epoxide stereoisomers obtained from the enantioselective bacterial CYP102A1 F87V. The stereoselectivity of the epoxidation of the last olefi n of AA (ω6), EPA (ω3), or DHA (ω3) differed between the CYP isoforms but was similar for EPA and DHA. These data give additional insight into the PUFA-LC epoxide enantiomers generated by the hepatic CYPs. Copyright

The present invention provides methods of treating avian pulmonary hypertension syndrome by administering to an avian subject a therapeutically effective amount of an inhibitor of soluble epoxide hydrolase (“sEHI”), alone or co-administered in combination with a cis-epoxyeicosantrienoic acid (“EET”). The invention also provides nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of an avian soluble epoxide hydrolase.

The use of dimethyldioxirane (DMD) as the epoxidizing agent for polyunsaturated fatty acids was investigated. With fatty acid methyl esters, this is a convenient method for avoiding acidic conditions, using different solvents, and simplifying the isolation procedures, with less contamination due to by-products. The reagent was also tested with free fatty acids in water. In this case, the supramolecular organization of fatty acids influenced the reaction outcome, and the epoxidation showed interesting regioselective features. The C=C bonds closest to the aqueous-micelle interface is the most favored for the interaction with dimethyldioxirane. The preferential epoxidation of linoleic acid (=(9Z,12Z)-octadeca-9,12-dienoic acid) to the 9,10-monoepoxy derivative was achieved, with a high yield and 65% regioselectivity. In case of arachidonic acid (=(5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z)-eicosa-5,8,11,14-tetraenoic acid) micelles, the regioselective outcome with formation of the four possible monoepoxy isomers was studied under different conditions. It resulted to be a convenient synthesis of 'cis-5,6-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid' (=3-[(2Z,5Z,8Z)-tetradeca-2,5,8- trienyl]oxiran-2-butanoic acid), whereas in reverse micelles, epoxidation mostly gave 'cis-14,15-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (= (5Z,8Z,11Z)-13-(3-pentyloxiran-2- yl)trideca-5,8,11-trienoic acid).

It has now been discovered that inhibitors of soluble epoxide hydrolase (“sEH”) are useful in reducing the severity of or inhibiting the progression of obstructive pulmonary diseases, restrictive airway diseases, and asthma. Administering a cis-epoxyeicosantrienoic acid (“EET”) in addition to the inhibitor is at least additive, and may be synergistic, in reducing or inhibiting these conditions and diseases, as measured by reduced numbers of neutrophils present in the lung. The inhibitor of sEH may be a nucleic acid, such as a small interfering RNA.

Cytochrome P450BM3, from Bacillus megaterium, catalyses the epoxidation of linolenic acid 1 yielding 15,16-epoxyoctadeca-9,12-dienoic acid 2 with complete regioand moderate enantio-selectivity (60% ee). The absolute configuration of the product is tentatively assigned as 15(R),16(S)-. The Michaelis-Menten parameters kcat and Km for the reaction were determined to be 3126 ± 226 min-1 and 24 ± 6 μM respectively. The Royal Society of Chemistry 2005.

9,11-Cycloendoperoxide derivatives of biologically active prostaglandin analogs, and particularly of the ocular hypotensive drugs Bimatoprost, Latanaprost, Unoprostone, Travoprost and prostaglandin H2 1-ethanolamide or of structurally closely related analogs, are pro-drugs which hydrolyze under physiological conditions to provide prostaglandin analogues that are capable of providing sustained ocular and other in vivo concentrations of the respective drugs. The compounds of the invention have the formula shown below where the variables have the meaning defined in the specification.

(Dimethylheptyl)anandamide [(16,16-dimethyldocosa-cis-5,8,11,14- tetraenoyl)ethanolamine] (17a) and its amide analogs were synthesized by Wittig coupling of a ylide derived from a fragment of arachidonic acid. These amides were compared to the endogenous cannabinoid receptor ligand arachidonylethanolamide (anandamide, 2a) and its amide analogs in pharmacological assays for potential enhancement of cannabimimetic activities. The receptor affinity to rat brain membranes of the dimethylheptyl (DMH) analogs increased by an order of magnitude in most comparisons to the corresponding anandamides in displacement assays versus the cannabinoid agonist [3H]CP 55,940 or antagonist [3H]SR141716A, for which rank order differences in affinity were observed. An order of magnitude enhancement of potency with comparable or higher efficacy in behavioral assays in the mouse tetrad of tests of cannabinoid activity was observed in 17a versus 2a. In contrast, no enhancement in potency for the pentyl to DMH side chain exchange was seen in the mouse vas deferens assay. The data indicate a structural equivalence between classical plant cannabinoids and 2a as well as different receptor -ligand interactions that characterize multiple receptor sites or binding modes.

A novel photoaffinity probe based of arachidonic acid was synthesized by coupling 20-hydroxyarachidonic acid and 2-azido-5-iodobenzoic acid. The key epoxide required for the formation of 20-hydroxyarachidonic acid was obtained using a new mild and safe me