A glycerol ether induces mobilization and 12-lipoxygenation of arachidonic acid in macrophages. Synergistic effect on mobilization and induction of leukotriene C formation by activators of protein kinase C.

A glycerol triether, 1,2-isopropylidene 3-0-decanyl-sn-glycerol, was found to induce mobilization of arachidonic acid from ethanolamine phosphoglycerides and phosphatidylinositol in mouse peritoneal macrophages. This effect showed structural specificity, occurred without activation of protein kinase C and resulted in formation and release of predominantly 12-hydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acid. Activators of kinase C (4-beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and 1,2-dioctanoyl-sn-glycerol) instead specifically enhance prostaglandin E2 formation. When macrophages were exposed to both a kinase C activator and the glycerol triether, the mobilization of arachidonic acid was synergistically enhanced and formation of leukotriene C was induced.