Chiral resolution of the epoxyeicosatrienoic acids, arachidonic acid epoxygenase metabolites.

An HPLC method for the chiral analysis of the four regioisomeric epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) is described. The cytochrome P450 arachidonic acid epoxygenase metabolites are resolved, without the need for derivatization, by chiral-phase HPLC on a Chiralcel OJ column. Application of this methodology to the analysis of the liver endogenous EETs demonstrates stereospecific biosynthesis and corroborates the role of cytochrome P450 as the endogenous arachidonic acid epoxygenase.