Formation of 15-lipoxygenase product from docosahexaenoic acid (22:6w3) by human platelets

Abstract The metabolism of docosahexaenoic acid (22:6w3) by 15-lipoxygenase activity of washed human platelets was investigated. Platelets produced 17-hydroxydocosahexaenoic acid (HDHE)_when incubated with 22:6w3. Similarly, 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE) and 13- and 9-hydroxyocatdecadienoic acids (HODD) were produced when incubated with 20:4w6 and 18:2w6, respectively. However, these products were observed only as minor components in the platelet incubation mixture. Control studies with carefully purified platelets and mononuclear cells indicated that these products were formed by the platelets. Chiral phase HPLC analysis indicated that these compounds were mainly in the S configuration with the exception of the 9-HODD, thus, confirming that a lipoxygenae is responsible for their production. The 9-HODD produced by platelets was a racemic mixture.