The origin and structures of dimeric fatty acids from the anaerobic reaction between soya-bean lipoxygenase, linoleic acid and its hydroperoxide

In an anaerobic system soya-bean lipoxygenase catalyses in the presence of linoleic acid and l-13-hydroperoxyoctadeca-cis-9-trans-11-dienoic acid the formation of dimeric fatty acids and of carbonyl compounds. The analogous reaction does not take place when d-9-hydroperoxyoctadeca-trans-10-cis-12-dienoic acid is used instead of the 13-hydroperoxy isomer. Non-oxygenated dimers stem directly from linoleic acid and have C((11))-C((13')) or -C((9')) and C((13))-C((13')) or -C((9')) linkages. Dimers that contain oxygen originate from linoleic acid and linoleic acid hydroperoxide. It is most likely that the oxygen is present in epoxy groups.     

Biliary, fecal and urinary excretion of [3H]-prostaglandins in the rat

The profiles of biliary, fecal and urinary excretion of tritium labeled prostaglandins (PG's) of differing biological activity were investigated in the rat. The PG's (10 micrograms/kg: 2 to 50 microCi/rat, in 1 ml polyethylene glycol-400) were administered intragastrically. Excretion data were expressed as a percentage of the total administered radioactivity. For the orally administered PG's 11R-methyl-16R-fluoro-15R-hydroxy-9-oxoprosta-ci s-5-trans-13-dienoic acid and its methyl ester, excretion was equally divided between urine and feces. The fecal and urinary profile of excretion of 3H after prostacyclin (PGI2) was similar to that following administration of 11R, 16, 16-trimethyl-15R-hydroxy-9-oxoprosta-cis-5-trans-13-dienoic acid (trimoprostil), a PG with antisecretory-antiulcer potential. However, PGI2 was very poorly absorbed from the intestine, while the absorption of trimoprostil was very efficient. Biliary excretion, with little entero-porto-hepatic biliary circulation, was the main route of elimination of trimoprostil, thereby resulting in rapid elimination of drug-related products and diminishing the potential for systemic liability in the rat.     

Biomimetic nitration of the linoleic acid metabolite 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid: isolation and spectral characterization of novel chain-rearranged epoxy nitro derivatives

Nitration of unsaturated fatty acids is a (patho)physiologically important pathway of lipid modification induced by nitric oxide-derived species. We report herein on the unexpected chain rearrangement undergone by (13S,9Z,11E)-13-hydroxyoctadeca-9,11-dienoic acid (1), a linoleic acid metabolite, when exposed to nitrating agents of biological relevance. At pH 7.4 and at room temperature, reaction of 1 with peroxynitrite (ONOO-) as well as Fe2+-EDTA/H2O2/NO2- and horseradish peroxidase/H2O2/NO2- led to the formation of two nitration products, which could be isolated as the methyl esters and were identified as diastereoisomeric methyl (12S)-10,11-epoxy-12-hydroxy-9-nitromethylheptadecanoates by extensive 1H, 13C, 15N NMR and MS analysis.     

Large-scale preparation of (9Z,12E)-[1-(13)C]-octadeca-9,12-dienoic acid, (9Z,12Z,15E)-[1-(13)C]-octadeca-9,12,15-trienoic acid and their [1-(13)C] all-cis isomers

Several grams of labelled trans linoleic and linolenic acids with high chemical and isomeric purities (>97%) have been prepared for human metabolism studies. A total of 12.5 g of (9Z, 12E)-[1-(13)C]-octadeca-9,12-dienoic acid and 6.3 g of (9Z,12Z, 15E)-[1-(13)C]-octadeca-9,12,15-trienoic acid were obtained in, respectively, seven steps (7.8% overall yield) and 11 steps (7% overall yield) from 7-bromo-heptan-1-ol. The trans bromo precursors used for the labelling were synthesised by using copper-catalysed couplings. The trans fatty acids were then obtained via the nitrile derivatives. A total of 23.5 g of (9Z,12Z)-[1-(13)C]-octadeca-9, 12-dienoic acid and 10.4 g of (9Z,12Z,15Z)-[1-(13)C]-octadeca-9,12, 15-trienoic acid were prepared in five steps in, respectively, 32 and 18% overall yield. Large quantities of bromo and chloro precursors were synthesised from the commercially available acid according to Barton's procedure. In all cases, the main impurities (>0.5%) of each labelled fatty acid have been characterised.     

Conversion of linoleic acid hydroperoxide to hydroxy, keto, epoxyhydroxy, and trihydroxy fatty acids by hematin

We have carried out a study of the reaction of 13-hydroperoxy-9-cis,11-trans-octadecadienoic acid (linoleic acid hydroperoxide) with hematin. The major products are erythro-11-hydroxy-12,13-epoxy-9-octadecenoic acid, threo-11-hydroxy-12,13-epoxy-9-octadecenoic acid, 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid, 13-keto-9,11-octadecadienoic acid, and 13-hydroxy-9,11-octadecadienoic acid. Several minor products have also been identified, including 9-hydroxy-12,13-epoxyoctadecenoic acid, 11-hydroxy-9,10-epoxy-12-octadecenoic acid, 9-hydroxy-10,12-octadecadienoic acid, and 9-keto-10,12-octadecadienoic acid. Oxygen labeling studies indicate that the observed products arise by at least two pathways. In the major pathway, hematin reduces 13-hydroperoxy-9,11-octadecadienoic acid by one electron to an alkoxyl radical that cyclizes to an adjacent double bond to form an epoxy allylic radical. The allylic radical either couples to the hydroxyl radical coordinated to hematin or diffuses from the solvent cage and couples to O2, forming a peroxyl radical. In the minor pathway, the hydroperoxide is oxidized by one electron to a 13-peroxyl radical that undergoes beta-scission to a pentadienyl radical and O2. Exchange of hydroperoxide-derived O2 for dissolved O2 occurs at this stage followed by coupling of O2 to either terminus of the pentadienyl radical. Both pathways of hydroperoxide metabolism generate significant quantities of peroxyl radicals that epoxidize the isolated double bonds of dihydroaromatic molecules. The products of hydroperoxide reaction with hematin and the oxygen labeling patterns are very similar to the products of unsaturated fatty acid hydroperoxide metabolism by platelets, aorta, and lung. Our results not only provide a mechanism for the formation of a series of mammalian metabolites of linoleic and arachidonic acids but also offer an estimate of the yield of peroxyl radicals generated during the process.     

An Enzymatic Conversion of Lipoxygenase Products by a Hydroperoxide Lyase in Blue-Green Algae (Oscillatoria sp.)

An enzyme has been isolated from blue-green algae Oscillatoria sp. which utilizes the product, 13-hydroperoxy-9, 11-octadecadienoic acid (13-HPOD), of lipoxygenase for its substrate. This enzyme, termed hydroperoxide lyase, converts the conjugated diene 13-hydroperoxide of linoleic acid to 13-oxotrideca-9, 11-dienoic acid. The structure of the latter has been determined by ultraviolet spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. 9-HPOD is not a substrate for this enzyme. The hydroperoxide lyase from Oscillatoria sp. has a maximum of activity at pH 6.4 and 30°C. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated at 56,000. The enzyme was not inhibited by BW 755C, but was inhibited by molecules containing more than one hydroxyl group. Quercetin was found to be the best inhibitor of the enzyme activity. The purified hydroperoxide lyase from Oscillatoria sp. showed an apparent K_m of 7.4 micromolar and a V_max of 35 nanomoles per minute per milligram of protein for 13-HPOD. An enzymatic pathway for the biogenesis of oxodienoic acid from linoleic acid is proposed. This involves the sequential activity of lipoxygenase and hydroperoxide lyase enzymes.     

New conjugated hydroxydienoic fatty acids and acetotriacylglycerols from Securidaca longipedunculata seed oil.

Like other members of the plant family Polygalaceae, Securidaca longipedunculata Fres., is a source of fatty acids and triacylglycerols with unusual structures. Its seed oil contains at least seven chromatographically distinct groups of triacylglycerols divided into two series: One series represents monoacetotriacylglycerols, and the other 'normal' triacylglycerols having only long-chain fatty acids. Each series has groups containing zero, one or two conjugated hydroxydienoic acids. In addition, there is a small amount of triacylglycerol incorporating three hydroxy acids. In addition to coriolic (13-hydroxyoctadeca-cis-9,trans-11-dienoic) acid (27%), two of its previously unknown homologs are present: 11-hydroxyhexadeca-cis-7,trans-9-dienoic acid (15%) and 9-hydroxytetradeca-cis-5,trans-7-dienoic acid (2%).     

Thiafatty acids as tracers to investigate biosynthetic pathways of lepidopteran sex pheromones

In order to investigate the potential utility of thiafatty acids as tracers for biosynthetic studies of moth sex pheromones, a series of thiatetradecanoic acids, namely 8-, 9-, 10-, 11-, 12- and 13-thiatetradecanoic, were prepared and their metabolism was investigated in pheromone glands of Spodoptera littoralis. Analysis by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry of extracts from pheromone glands treated with the above acids showed that only 8-thiatetradecanoic acid and 13-thiatetradecanoic acid were metabolized by desaturation and were incorporated into the sex pheromone biosynthetic pathway. 13-Thiatetradecanoic acid was converted into (E)- and (Z)-13-thiatetradec-11-enoic acids, (Z,E)-13-thiatetradeca-9,11-dienoic acid, 11-thiadodecanoic acid, (E)- and (Z)-11-thiadodec-9-enoic acids and 15-thiahexadecanoic acid. 8-Thiatetradecanoic acid gave rise to two monoenoic thiafatty acids and two dienoic thiafatty acids, which were assigned to (Z)- and (E)-8-thiatetradec-11-enoic acids, (Z,E)-8-thiatetradeca-9,11-dienoic acid and (E,E)-8-thiatetradeca-10,12-dienoic acid. The other thiafatty acids tested, 9-, 10-, 11- and 12-thiatetradecanoic acids, were not metabolized by desaturation, although the corresponding products of beta-oxidation and chain elongation were detected. The occurrence of sulfoxides was not detected in this case, in disagreement with results on the metabolism of some thiaacids previously reported by other authors in yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae.     

Novel divinyl ether fatty acids in extracts of Solanum tuberosum

Colnelenic acid [9-(trans-1′, cis-3′, cis-6′-nonatrienyloxy)-trans-8-nonenoic acid], formed enzymically from linolenic acid, was isolated from homogenates of potato tuber and the full structure was established. In addition, the full stereochemistry of the previously identified analogous compound (colneleic acid – derived from linoleic acid) was established as 9-(trans-1′, cis-3′-nonadienyloxy)-trans-8-nonenoic acid. These divinyl ether derivatives give rise to unsaturated carbonyl breakdown products.     

Oxodiene formation during the Vicia sativa lipoxygenase-catalyzed reaction: occurrence of dioxygenase and fatty acid lyase activities associated in a single protein

An enzyme with at least dual activities, lipoxygenase and fatty acid lyase, has been isolated from Vicia sativa seeds. The enzyme utilizes directly linoleic acid as substrate. The enzyme had a pH optimum at 5.8 for the two activities and converted linoleic acid into two products: 9-hydroperoxylinoleic acid and trans-2, cis-4 decadienal. The enzyme does not act on 13- or 9- fatty acid hydroperoxide isomers. An enzymatic reaction for the biogenesis of trans-2, cis-4- decadienal is proposed. This involves the synthesis of an intermediate peroxyl radical due to oxygen insertion in carbon 9 of linoleic acid. This intermediate peroxyl radical may be converted into 9-HPOD and 2,4-decadienal.     

The role of superoxide in xanthine oxidase-induced autooxidation of linoleic acid

The effect of hydroxyperoxyoctadecadienoic acid, e.g. 13-hydroperoxy-cis,9,trans-11-octadecadienoic acid, on the autooxidation of linoleic acid induced by superoxide radical was examined in a system containing xanthine oxidase, acetaldehyde, and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid dissolved in an aqueous phosphate buffer containing 10% ethanol. The superoxide radical is required for autooxidation, as shown by essentially complete inhibition on the addition of superoxide dismutase. Pure linoleic acid was not readily oxidized, but the addition of lipid hydroperoxide markedly stimulated the autooxidation. Addition of 2.8 microM FeCl3 did not produce an increase in the rate of xanthine oxidase-induced autooxidation. Spontaneous autooxidation, a process slower than xanthine oxidase-induced autooxidation, was detectable on the time scale of these observations but was slower than the xanthine oxidase-induced autooxidation. Initiation of linoleic acid autooxidation is postulated to result from a reaction between superoxide and lipid hydroperoxide. The nature of this reaction is uncertain, but it does not appear to depend on iron catalysis.     

Soybean lipoxygenase-1 enzymically forms both (9S)- and (13S)-hydroperoxides from linoleic acid by a pH-dependent mechanism

Soybean lipoxygenase-1 produces a preponderance of two chiral products from linoleic acid, (13S)-(9Z,11E)-13-hydroperoxy-9,11-octadecadienoic acid and (9S)-(10E,12Z)-9-hydroperoxy-10,12-octadecadienoic acid. The former of these hydroperoxides was generated at all pH values, but in the presence of Tween 20, the latter product did not form at pH values above 8.5. As the pH decreased below 8.5, the proportion of (9S)-hydroperoxide increased linearly until at pH 6 it constituted about 25% of the chiral products attributed to enzymic action. Below pH 6, lipoxygenase activity was barely measurable, and the hydroperoxide product arose mainly from autoxidation and possibly non-enzymic oxygenation of the pentadienyl radical formed by the enzyme. The change in percent enzymically formed 9-hydroperoxide between pH 6.0 and 8.5 paralleled the pH plot of a sodium linoleate/linoleic acid titration. It was concluded that the (9S)-hydroperoxide is formed only from the nonionized carboxylic acid form of linoleic acid. Methyl esterification of linoleic acid blocked the formation of the (9S)-hydroperoxide by lipoxygenase-1, but not the (13S)-hydroperoxide. Since the hydroperoxydiene moieties of the (9S)- and (13S)-hydroperoxides are spatially identical when the molecules are arranged head to tail in opposite orientations, it is suggested that the carboxylic acid form of the substrate can arrange itself at the active site in either orientation, but the carboxylate anion can be positioned only in one orientation. These observations, as well as others in the literature, suggest and active-site model for soybean lipoxygenase-1.     

Co-oxidation of carotenes requires one soybean lipoxygenase isoenzyme.

The type II lipoxygenase (optimum pH 6.5) from soybeans was purified and separated into two fractions either by chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex or by isoelectric focusing. In the presence of linoleic acid and oxygen both fractions co-oxidise canthaxanthine or beta-carotene as effectively as a combination of these fractions. Oxygenation of linoleic acid and co-oxidation of canthaxanthine by type II lipoxygenase is stimulated by 13-hydroperoxy-cis-9,trans-11-octadecadienoic acid but not by 13-hydroxy-cis-9,trans-11-octadecadienoic acid or 9-hydroperoxy-trans-10,cis-12-octadecadienoic acid.     

Lipoxygenase-mediated metabolism of storage lipids in germinating sunflower cotyledons and beta-oxidation of (9Z,11E,13S)-13-hydroxy-octadeca-9,11-dienoic acid by the cotyledonary glyoxysomes

During the early stages of germination, a lipid-body lipoxygenase is expressed in the cotyledons of sunflowers (Helianthus annuus L.). In order to obtain evidence for the in vivo activity of this enzyme during germination, we analyzed the lipoxygenase-dependent metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids esterified in the storage lipids. For this purpose, lipid bodies were isolated from etiolated sunflower cotyledons at different stages of germination, and the storage triacylglycerols were analyzed for oxygenated derivatives. During the time course of germination the amount of oxygenated storage lipids was strongly augmented, and we detected triacylglycerols containing one, two or three residues of (9Z,11E,13S)-13-hydro(pero)xy-octadeca-9,11-dienoic acid. Glyoxysomes from etiolated sunflower cotyledons converted (9Z,11E,13S)-13-hydroxy-octadeca-9,11-dienoic acid to (9Z,11E)-13-oxo-octadeca-9,11-dienoic acid via an NADH-dependent dehydrogenase reaction. Both oxygenated fatty acid derivatives were activated to the corresponding CoA esters and subsequently metabolized to compounds of shorter chain length. Cofactor requirement and formation of acetyl-CoA indicate degradation via -oxidation. However, -oxidation only proceeded for two consecutive cycles, leading to accumulation of a medium-chain metabolite carrying an oxo group at C-9, equivalent to C-13 of the parent (9Z,11E,13S)-13-hydroxy-octadeca-9,11-dienoic acid. Short-chain -oxidation intermediates were not detected during incubation. Similar results were obtained when 13-hydroxy octadecanoic acid was used as -oxidation substrate. On the other hand, the degradation of (9Z,11E)-octadeca-9,11-dienoic acid was accompanied by the appearance of short-chain -oxidation intermediates in the reaction mixture. The results suggest that the hydroxyl/oxo group at C-13 of lipoxygenase-derived fatty acids forms a barrier to continuous -oxidation by glyoxysomes.     

Purification and characterization of tomato lipoxygenase

Lipoxygenase was partially purified (26-fold) from tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) fruits by ammonium sulphate precipitation and hydrophobic chromatography, and further characterized by disc gel electrophoresis, chromatofocusing and M, determination. The enzyme had a pH optimum of 6.8, and K_m values for linoleic acid and linolenic acid of 1.42 and 2.60 mM, respectively. The pI was 6.3 and electrophoresis at pH 8.0 revealed a major lipoxygenase band at R_f 0.14. M, determination gave a value of 97 ± 2K. Incubation of linoleic acid with partially purified enzyme gave a mixture of linoleic hydroperoxides in which the ratio of the 9- to the 13-hydroperoxide isomer was 24:1. The major product was characterized as 9-hydroperoxyoctadeca-trans-10-cis-12-dienoic acid.     

The enzymic conversion of linoleic acid into 9-(nona-1′,3′-dienoxy)non-8-enoic acid, a novel unsaturated ether derivative isolated from homogenates of Solanum tuberosum tubers

1. A major component of the lipids in aqueous (pH7.5) homogenates of tuber tissue from Solanum tuberosum was isolated and characterized as 9-(nona-1',3'-dienoxy)non-8-enoic acid. 2. This novel unsaturated ether fatty acid derivative, which contains a butadienylvinyl ether function, has the structure: [Formula: see text] and is formed from linoleic acid by a sequence of enzymic reactions. 3. A precursor of the unsaturated ether derivative is 9-d-hydroperoxyoctadeca-10,12-dienoic acid, formed by the action of S. tuberosum lipoxygenase on linoleic acid. 4. An enzyme that converts the fatty acid hydroperoxide into the unsaturated ether derivative was isolated from S. tuberosum. The pH optimum of this enzyme is approx. 9, although the overall conversion of linoleic acid into the ether derivative is maximal at pH7.5. 5. An unusual feature of this pathway is the insertion of an oxygen atom into the alkyl chain of a fatty acid. 6. This novel mechanism may play a role in the breakdown of polyunsaturated fatty acids to volatile products in plants.     

Sequential enzymes of linoleic acid oxidation in corn germ: lipoxygenase and linoleate hydroperoxide isomerase

Linoleic acid oxidation catalyzed by lipoxygenase (lipoxidase) activity in extracts of defatted corn germ does not terminate in the product, linoleic acid hydroperoxide, unless the lipoxygenase is first partially purified. If purification is not attempted, the hydroperoxide product exists only as a barely detectable intermediate in the synthesis of three products. One of these was identified as 9-hydroxy-10-oxo-cis-12-octadecenoic acid formed from the hydroperoxide by the enzyme, linoleate hydroperoxide isomerase. Another product, 13-hydroxy-10-oxo-trans-11-octadecenoic acid, is believed to be formed by an isomerase also. The third product was the linoleate ester of one of the hydroxy-oxo-fatty acids, 9-(cis-9,cis-12-octadecadienoyl)-10-oxo-cis-12-octadecenoic acid. It is not known if the synthesis of the ester is enzyme-catalyzed. When a mixture of 13-hydroperoxy-cis-9,trans-11-octa-decadienoic acid and 9-hydroperoxy-trans-10,cis-12-octa-decadienoic acid from soybean lipoxygenase oxidation of linoleic acid was used as a substrate, 13-hydroxy-12-oxo-cis-9-octadecenoic acid and 9-hydroxy-12-oxo-trans-10-octadecenoic acid were formed as the major products of catalysis by linoleate hydroperoxide isomerase(s) from corn. Smaller quantities of 9-hydroxy-10-oxo-cis-12-octadecenoic acid and 13-hydroxy-10-oxo-trans-11-octadecenoic acid were also formed.     

Lipoxygenase from potato tubers. Partial purification and properties of an enzyme that specifically oxygenates the 9-position of linoleic acid

A lipoxygenase (EC 1.13.1.13) was partially purified from potato tubers and was shown to differ from previously characterized soya-bean lipoxygenases in the positional specificity and pH characteristics of the oxygenation reaction. The potato enzyme converted linoleic acid almost exclusively (95%) into 9-d-hydroperoxyoctadeca-trans-10,cis-12-dienoic acid. The 13-hydroperoxy isomer was only a minor product (5%). Linolenic acid was an equally effective substrate, which was also oxygenated specifically at the 9-position. The enzyme had a pH optimum at 5.5-6.0 and was inactive at pH9.0. A half-maximal velocity was obtained at a linoleic acid concentration of 0.1mm. No inhibition was observed with EDTA (1mm) and cyanide (1mm) or with p-chloromercuribenzoate (0.2mm). Haemoproteins were not involved in the lipoxygenase activity. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated from gel filtration to be approx. 10(5). Preliminary evidence suggested that the enzyme oxygenated the n-10 position of fatty acids containing a penta(n-3, n-6)diene structure.     

Formation of acyl radical in lipid peroxidation of linoleic acid by manganese-dependent peroxidase from Ceriporiopsis subvermispora and Bjerkandera adusta.

Lipid peroxidation by managanese peroxidase (MnP) is reported to decompose recalcitrant polycyclic aromatic hydrocabon (PAH) and nonphenolic lignin models. To elucidate the oxidative process, linoleic acid and 13(S)-hydroperoxy-9Z,11E-octadecadienoic acid [13(S)-HPODE] were reacted with MnPs from Ceriporiopsis subvermispora and Bjerkandera adusta and the free radicals produced were analyzed by ESR. When the MnPs were reacted with 13(S)-HPODE in the presence of Mn(II), H2O2 and tert-nitrosobutane (t-NB), the ESR spectrum contained a sharp triplet of acyl radical (aN = 0.81 mT). Formation of acyl radical was also observed in the reactions of Mn(III)-tartrate with 13(S)-HPODE and with linoleic acid, but the latter reaction occurred explosively after an induction period of around 30 min. Reactions of MnP with linoleic acid in the presence of Mn(II), H2O2 and t-NB gave no spin adducts while addition of t-NB after preincubation of linoleic acid with MnP/Mn(II)/H2O2 for 2 h gave spin adducts of carbon-centered (aN = 1.53 mT, aH = 0.21 mT) and acyl (aN = 0.81 mT) radicals. In contrast to linoleic acid, methyl linoleate and oleic acid were not peroxidized by MnP and chelated Mn(III) within a few hours, indicating that structures containing both the 1,4-pentadienyl moiety and a free carboxyl group are necessary for inducing the peroxidation in a short reaction time. These results indicate that MnP-dependent lipid peroxidation is not initiated by direct abstraction of hydrogen from the bis-allylic position during turnover but proceeds by a Mn(III)-dependent hydrogen abstraction from enols and subsequent propagation reactions involving the formation of acyl radical from lipid hydroperoxide. This finding expands the role of chelated Mn(III) from a phenol oxidant to a strong generator of free radicals from lipids and lipid hydroperoxides in lignin biodegradation.     

Stereospecificity of the hydroxyeicosatetraenoic and hydroxyoctadecadienoic acids produced by cultured bovine endothelial cells

Characterization of the stereospecificity of the derivatives of arachidonic acid and linoleic acid produced by endothelial cells is needed to define the enzymatic origin of these compounds and their role in vascular physiology. In studies utilizing two bovine endothelial cell lines (CPAE and AG04762), both free 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) and 11-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (11-HETE) were generated during incubations with exogenous arachidonic acid and both free 9-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (9-HODE) and 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (13-HODE) were generated during incubations with exogenous linoleic acid. Esterification of 15-HETE, 9-HODE and 13-HODE during these incubations was demonstrated. The analyses included reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography of the free acid and its methyl ester and chiral separation of the methyl ester on straight phase chiral columns. The ratio of 9-HODE/13-HODE averaged 2.7 in the chromatographic analyses of the extracts of the incubations with linoleic acid. The combined production of 13-HODE and 9-HODE from linoleic acid was four times greater than that of 15-HETE and 11-HETE from arachidonic acid. With regard to the products of the CPAE endothelial cell line, the S/R ratio of the stereoisomers averaged 1.5 for free 15-HETE, 5.7 for free 13-HODE and 0.2 for free 9-HODE. The 11-HETE had strict (R) stereospecificity. The products from the AG04762 endothelial cell line had similar stereochemistry. All these stereochemical findings point to the activity of a cyclooxygenase rather than that of a lipoxygenase.