Renal and cardiovascular actions of 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid and epoxyeicosatrienoic acids

1. Arachidonic acid (AA) is metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP)-dependent pathways to epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EET) and 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) in the kidney and the peripheral vasculature. 2. The present short review summarizes the renal and cardiovascular actions of these important mediators. 3. Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids are vasodilators produced by the endothelium that hyperpolarize vascular smooth muscle (VSM) cells by opening Ca2+-activated K+ (KCa) channels. 20-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid is a vasoconstrictor that inhibits the opening of KCa channels in VSM cells. Cytochrome P450 4A inhibitors block the myogenic response of small arterioles to elevations in transmural pressure and autoregulation of renal and cerebral blood flow in vivo. Cytochrome P450 4A blockers also attenuate the vasoconstrictor response to elevations in tissue PO2, suggesting that this system may serve as a vascular oxygen sensor. Nitric oxide and carbon monoxide inhibit the formation of 20-HETE and a fall in 20-HETE levels contributes to the activation of KCa channels in VSM cells and the vasodilator response to these gaseous mediators. 20-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid also mediates the inhibitory actions of peptide hormones on sodium transport in the kidney and the mitogenic effects of growth factors in VSM and mesangial cells. A deficiency in the renal production of 20-HETE is associated with the development of hypertension in Dahl salt-sensitive rats. 4. In summary, the available evidence indicates that CYP metabolites of AA play a central role in the regulation of renal, pulmonary and vascular function and that abnormalities in this system may contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases.     

Inhibitors of 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) formation attenuate the natriuretic effect of dopamine

Endogenous renal dopamine is a major physiological regulator of renal ion transport; however its intracellular signaling pathways are not thoroughly understood. The present study examined the role of 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE), the major cytochrome P450 (CYP4A) metabolite of arachidonic acid formed in the renal cortex, on the natriuretic response to dopamine in Sprague Dawley rats. Infusion of dopamine (1.5μg/kg/min, i.v.) increased urine flow (1.9 fold over basal), sodium excretion (UNaV, 2.7 fold), fractional sodium excretion (FENa, 3.3 fold) and proximal and distal delivery of sodium by 1.5- and 2-fold respectively. Administration of two inhibitors of the synthesis of 20-HETE, 1-aminobenzotriazole (ABT) and N-hydroxy-N'-(-4-butyl-2-methylphenyl)formamidine (HET0016) reduced the response to dopamine by 65%. Induction of the renal expression of CYP4A enzymes with clofibrate did not alter the response to dopamine. The natriuretic response to dopamine was lower in Dahl salt-sensitive rats in comparison to an SS.BN5 consomic strain in which transfer of chromosome 5 from Brown Norway to Dahl salt-sensitive rats upregulates the renal expression of CYP4A protein and the production of 20-HETE. Treatment with HET0016 blocked the renal effects of dopamine in SS.BN5 rats. We also examined the influence of 20-HETE in the natriuretic response to acute volume expansion that is in part mediated via the release of endogenous dopamine. The increase in urine flow, UNaV, FENa and distal FENa following volume expansion was markedly reduced in rats treated with ABT. These results suggest that 20-HETE plays at least a permissive role in the natriuretic response to dopamine.     

Cytochrome P450-dependent arachidonic acid metabolites, 19- and 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids, enhance sodium-potassium ATPase activity in vascular smooth muscle.

Several cytochrome P450-dependent arachidonic acid metabolites have been shown to affect Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity. In the present study, we tested the effect of omega- and omega - 1-hydroxylated products, i.e., 19- and 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (19- and 20-HETE), on the K-induced relaxation in rat aortic rings. 19-HETE and 20-HETE increased the magnitude of the potassium-induced relaxation in a dose-dependent fashion (10(-7)-10(-5) M). The inhibitory effect of ouabain on the potassium-induced relaxation was reversed by both 19- and 20-HETE. In addition, indomethacin fully inhibited the stimulatory effect of 19- and 20-HETE on relaxation induced by potassium. Vascular ouabain-sensitive 86Rb uptake was also increased by 19- and 20-HETE. These observations suggest that 19- and 20-HETE stimulate vascular Na+,K(+)-ATPase via their conversion by cyclooxygenase to prostaglandin-like material.     

Contribution of CYP4A8 to the formation of 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid from arachidonic acid in rat kidney

20-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) has been shown to be an arachidonic acid metabolite of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes belonging to the CYP4A subfamily and is a predominant regulator of renal vascular tone and tubular ion reabsorption in rat kidney. CYP4A8 is one of the CYP4A enzymes expressed in rat kidney, but its contribution to 20-HETE formation has not been assessed. In order to clarify that the role of CYP4A8, we have developed bacterial expression systems for the expression of recombinant CYP4A8 (rCYP4A8). We also produced an antibody against rCYP4A8 which was used for immunoinhibition and immunohistochemical studies. In a reconstituted system, rCYP4A8 sufficiently catalyzed 20-HETE formation as well as prostaglandin A(1) omega-hydroxylation, a marker activity for CYP4A8. In addition, anti-rCYP4A8 sera significantly inhibited prostaglandin A(1) omega-hydroxylation and strongly inhibited arachidonic acid omega-hydroxylation in rat kidney microsomes. These observations suggested for the first time that CYP4A8 also contributed to 20-HETE formation in rat kidney. Furthermore, immunohistochemstry suggested that CYP4A8 is present in preglomerular arteries, where 20-HETE has been established to be a vasoconstrictor.     

Protective effect of 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) on adriamycin-induced toxicity of human renal tubular epithelial cell (HK-2)

20-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid is a cytochrome P4504A11 metabolite of arachidonic acid that plays an important role in the regulation of human renal functions. In the present study, we investigated the role of 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid on adriamycin induced toxicity in human renal tubular epithelial cells. Results showed that cell viability was decreased significantly and lactate dehydrogenase activity was increased significantly in a concentration-dependent manner when human renal tubular epithelial cells were incubated with adriamycin (10??-10?3 mol/l) for 24h. In contrast, 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (0.1, 1, 10, 50 μmol/l) increased cell survival and decreased lactate dehydrogenase activity concentration dependently in human renal tubular epithelial cells. When 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (10, 50 μmol/l) was co-administered with adriamycin (10?3 mol/l), it significantly increased cell viability and decreased lactate dehydrogenase activity. On the other hand, N-hydroxy-N'-(4-butyl-2-methylphenyl)formamidine (HET-0016) (1 μM), a selective inhibitor of 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid synthesizing enzyme exaggerated cell viability reduction and lactate dehydrogenase activity augmentation induced by adriamycin. Adriamycin suppressed the expression of cytochrome P4504A11 gene and its protein production in human renal tubular epithelial cells. Furthermore, adriamycin was more effective than N-hydroxy-N'-(4-butyl-2-methylphenyl)formamidine at lowering the expression of cytochrome P4504A11 gene and its protein. These results suggest that 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid may protect adriamycin-induced toxicity of human renal tubular epithelial cells, meanwhile, adriamycin-induced toxicity of human renal tubular epithelial cells possibly involves inhibiting cytochrome P4504A11 expression.     

Procoagulant activity of platelet arachidonic acid metabolites.

1 Arachidonate metabolites have been extracted from indomethacin-treated human platelets after incubation with arachidonic acid. 2 After separation from platelet phospholipids, the extracts promoted the generation of large amounts of thrombin in normal plasma, but not in plasma devoid of lipoproteins. 3 The procoagulant activity was associated with a minor component of the mixture, which was active at concentrations below 10 micrograms ml-1. 4 The activity was similar to that of autoxidised arachidonic acid previously described. 5 Platelet arachidonic acid metabolites could play a role in the coagulation system.     

Modification of platelet function and arachidonic acid metabolism by bioflavonoids. Structure-activity relations

The mechanism of the antiaggregating activity of flavonoids was studied in vitro. The activity of fifteen different compounds was tested on platelet aggregation and arachidonic acid metabolism. The effect of flavonoids on platelet adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) levels under basal conditions, as well as after stimulation by prostacyclin (PGI2), was also measured. The glycons of flavonoids in general and the flavanone derivatives that we tested did not affect platelet function. On the other hand, flavone, chrysin , apigenin and phloretin inhibited platelet aggregation by depressing the cyclooxygenase pathway. In addition, flavone, chrysin and apigenin reduced the platelet cyclic AMP response to PGI2. This effect was probably mediated by an inhibition of adenylate cyclase. Myricetin and quercetin, however, increased the PGI2-stimulated rise of platelet cyclic AMP. Both of these flavonoids inhibited primarily lipoxygenase activity. Modification of platelet cyclic AMP metabolism through inhibition of phosphodiesterase activity was found to be the probable mechanism of their antiaggregating effect.     

Lipoproteins inhibit platelet aggregation and arachidonic acid metabolism in experimental hypercholesterolaemia

1. Human plasma contains unidentified components that inhibit arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism. In the present study, we investigated whether plasma from rabbits fed a normal or high-cholesterol diet for 16 weeks also inhibits AA metabolism. Specifically, we studied the effects of plasma on platelet aggregation and on the production of AA metabolites, tri-hydroxyeicosatrienoic acid, 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid and thromboxane B(2). 2. Haematological and lipid profiles were altered by a high-cholesterol diet. Platelets from hypercholesterolaemic rabbits showed enhanced aggregatory sensitivity to AA and platelet-activating factor. However, plasma from hypercholesterolaemic and control rabbits, when added to the incubation mixture, significantly inhibited platelet aggregation and eicosanoid production. 3. High- and low-density lipoprotein (HDL and LDL, respectively) concentrations increased several-fold in plasma with cholesterol feeding. When added directly to the incubation mixture, both HDL and LDL inhibited platelet aggregation, as well as AA metabolism. 4. Haptoglobin, albumin and Cohn's fraction IV, but not globulins, exhibited antiplatelet and anti-AA metabolism activities. Their concentrations in plasma were not affected by cholesterol feeding. 5. We conclude that LDL and HDL account for at least some of the inhibition of AA metabolism produced by plasma.     

Inhibition in vitro of platelet aggregation and arachidonic acid metabolism by flavone

The effects of flavone on platelet aggregation and arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism were tested in vitro. When incubated at a concentration of 50 μM, flavone completely suppressed platelet aggregation induced by 150 μM AA in thirty-six out of forty-three subjects tested. A lower concentration (10 μM) was effective in about 50% of the donors. Flavone also inhibited the second wave of aggregation induced by epinephrine and ADP. Platelet thromboxane formation, estimated both by radioimmuno-assay measurements and by studies of ¹⁴C-labeled AA metabolism, was depressed by flavone. Flavone-treated platelets preferentially utilized [¹⁴C]AA for the lipoxygenase pathway while cyclo-oxygenase activity was depressed. Adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) was measured in flavone-treated and control platelets. While their baseline levels were similar, flavone-treated platelets showed a lower stimulation of cAMP induced by prostacyclin (PGI₂) than did controls. Phosphodiesterase activity was not affected by flavone as judged from the decay rates of PGI₂-stimulated cAMP levels. From these findings we conclude that the antiaggregating activity of flavone is not a consequence of changes in platelet cAMP but is due to inhibition of cyclo-oxygenase.     

Stimulation of human airway epithelial cells by platelet activating factor (PAF) and arachidonic acid produces 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) capable of contracting bronchial smooth muscle

Human airway epithelial cells grown to confluence were incubated with varying concentrations (10–100 μM) of arachidonic acid or platelet activating factor (PAF) for periods of 30 min to 24 h. Both stimuli caused the production of 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) by epithelial cells as determined by HPLC. Neither stimulus caused the production of leukotrienes, thromboxane or prostaglandins aside from minimal amounts of PGE₂. Maximal production of 15-HETE after arachidonic acid (10 μM; N = 9) occurred at 1 h (235±59 ng/mg protein), whereas maximum generation after PAF treatment (10 μM; N = 9) occurred at 6 h (153±48 ng/mg protein). Neither arachidonic acid nor PAF at concentrations up to 100 μM caused cell toxicity as determined by ⁵¹Cr release. 15-HETE at concentrations of ≥0.1 μM contracted isolated human bronchus. An initial small amplitude, short-lasting (< 15 min) contraction was followed by a much larger contraction beginning 30–60 min following 15-HETE challenge, reaching a maximum at ~ 2 hr. These results demonstrate that PAF may induce delayed airway smooth muscle contraction by the generation of 15-HETE from epithelial cells. The kinetics of 15-HETE generation and its contractile activity are compatible with it being a mediator of the late asthmatic reaction.     

Convenient syntheses of [20,20,20-H(3)]-arachidonic acid and [20,20-H(2)]-20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid

Deuterated arachidonic acid and 20-HETE were prepared in good overall yields and high stereoselectivities. Key transformations include a trans-specific vinyl dibromide reduction and Suzuki cross-couplings to a lithium borate or a 9-BBN borane. These standards are three and two mass units higher, respectively, than their naturally occurring counterparts and are useful in mass spectrometry analysis.     

Anti-inflammatory activity and inhibition of arachidonic acid metabolism by flavonoids.

A group of flavonoids isolated from medicinal plants and which are selective inhibitors of lipoxygenase activity in vitro: sideritoflavone, cirsiliol, hypolaetin-8-O-beta-D-glucoside, hypolaetin, oroxindin, quercetagetin-7-O-beta-D-glucoside, gossypin, hibifolin and gossypetin, besides leucocyanidol, have been studied for their effects on acute responses induced by carrageenin in mice. The oral administration of flavonoids to mice inhibited dose-dependently the development of paw oedema at 1, 3 and 5 h after carrageenin injection. A similar administration of flavonoids induced a dose-dependent inhibition of leukocyte accumulation in inflammatory exudates following intraperitoneal injection of carrageenin into mice. Some of the flavonoids exhibited a potency against leukocyte infiltration similar to that seen for inhibition of carrageenin oedema at 3 h of induction. In agreement with data reported in rats, indomethacin was much more effective on inhibition of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) formation than on leukocyte infiltration in mice. The selectivity of flavonoids towards lipoxygenase is not retained in vivo since they behave as dual inhibitors of PGE2 and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) formation in peritoneal exudates. Our data support the inhibition of arachidonic acid metabolism as one of the mechanisms by which flavonoids exert their anti-inflammatory effects.     

Synthesis and platelet aggregation inhibitory activity of 6-isobutyl-alpha-methyl-3-pyridineacetic acid.

2-(4'-Isobutylphenyl)propionic acid, ibuprofen, is an antiinflammatory agent which possesses moderate platelet aggregation inhibitory activity. It was therefore of interest to determine what effect the replacement of the phenyl group of ibuprofen by a 3-pyridyl ring would have on platelet aggregation inhibitory activity. As a result, 6-isobutyl-alpha-methyl-o-pyridineacetic acid (7) and its 2-chloro analogue 13 were synthesized. The key step in the synthesis of 7 and 13 involved the oxidative rearrangement of enol ether 11 to the carboxylic ester 12 with thallium trinitrate. The entire sequences of reactions for the synthesis of compounds 7 and 13 are described in detail. Platelet aggregation inhibitory evaluation of 7 and 13 showed 7 to possess activity equivalent to ibuprofen; however, 13 was devoid of platelet aggregation inhibitory activity at an equivalent dose.     

Prostaglandins and human platelet aggregation. Implications for the anti-aggregating activity of thromboxane-synthase inhibitors

Selective pharmacological blockade of thromboxane-synthase in human platelets by dazoxiben resulted in the reorientation of cyclic-endoperoxides towards PGE2, PGD2 and PGF2 alpha. At concentrations which can be reached when thromboxane-synthase is inhibited, PGE2 (100-500 nM) exerted a marked, concentration-dependent pro-aggregatory effect. This required the formation of endogenous or the addition of exogenous endoperoxides and was prevented by PGD2 or 13-aza-prostanoic acid, a selective antagonist of PGH2/TxA2 receptors. The anti-aggregating effect of PGD2 was evident at concentrations lower than those obtained in dazoxiben-treated platelets. It is proposed that in the absence of TxA2 generation, a combination of endoperoxides and PGE2 may result in normal aggregation. The latter may be inhibited by PGD2. No interference of PGF2 alpha on platelet function could be shown.