Arachidonate epoxygenase: identification of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids in rabbit kidney.

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids were isolated and purified from female rabbit kidneys. They were identified as a group, prior to resolution, by packed column gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopic techniques as their methyl esters as well as their trimethylsilyl bromohydrin methyl esters. Initial capillary gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectral analysis of the corresponding hydrogenated pentafluorobenzyl esters revealed the presence of the 8,9- and 14,15-epoxyeicosatrienoate regioisomers. These results, in conjunction with the documented in vitro biological activities of the arachidonate epoxygenase metabolites, suggest a role for them in renal function.