(±)17(18)-EpETE-Ethanolamide

(±)17(18)-EpETE-Ethanolamide is an ω-3 endocannabinoid epoxide.¹ It is formed from the endocannabinoid eicosapentaenoic ethanolamide (EPEA) via cytochrome P450 (CYP) epoxygenases and hydrolyzed by soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). It is endogenously produced in LPS-stimulated BV-2 microglia cells and in BV-2 microglia cells supplemented with EPEA, an effect that can be reduced by the CYP inhibitor ketoconazole. (±)17(18)-EpETE-ethanolamide decreases IL-6 and nitrite production induced by LPS in BV-2 microglia and increases the production of IL-10. It inhibits platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid when used at a concentration of 50 μM but not aggregation induced by ADP , collagen, or ristocetin. It also induces relaxation of preconstricted bovine coronary arteries (ED₅₀ = 1.1 μM) and inhibits VEGF-stimulated tubulogenesis in human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVECs). (±)17(18)-EpETE-ethanolamide is the predominant EPEA metabolite found in rat brain, and it has also been found in rat heart, kidney, spleen, and liver, as well as in pig brain. It activates cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB₁) and CB₂ with EC₅₀ values of 18.5 and 1.4 nM, respectively, in a β-arrestin recruitment assay.

1. McDougle, D.R., Watson, J.E., Abdeen, A.A., et al. Anti-inflammatory ω-3 endocannabinoid epoxides Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 114(30),E6034-E6043(2017).