Dilation of cerebral arterioles by cytochrome P-450 metabolites of arachidonic acid.

We have recently shown that brain tissue can synthesize cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid (AA), including 5,6-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (5,6-EET), and 14,15-EET. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the vasoactivity of EETs and AA on the cerebral microcirculation. Pial arteriolar diameter was measured in rabbits and cats using in vivo microscopy and the closed cranial window technique. Prostaglandin (PG) E2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha formed by the brain cortex during application of these fatty acids was measured in cerebrospinal fluid by use of radioimmunoassay. A transient dose-dependent dilation was produced by 5,6-EET (1-15 micrograms/ml), with the maximum being 23% of control in both species. Other EETs had little or no activity, and AA-induced dilation was greater in rabbits than in cats. Indomethacin or superoxide dismutase plus catalase prevented dilation by 5,6-EET and AA, indicating that both produce dilation via cyclooxygenase-dependent oxygen radicals. PGE2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha levels were increased by AA but not by EETs, implying that EETs do not directly activate AA metabolism. Since 5,6-EET, but not other EETs, is known to be a substrate for cyclooxygenase, our data are consistent with brain cyclooxygenase metabolism of 5,6-EET with concomitant generation of dilator oxygen radicals. An implication of these results is that many previous studies of the cerebral circulation which based conclusions on results with cyclooxygenase inhibitors may need to be additionally interpreted.