Metabolism of leukotriene D by porcine kidney

An enzyme from porcine kidney converted leukotriene D4 into a less polar metabolite. The structure of this compound was 5-hydroxy-6-S-cysteinyl-7,9-trans-11,14-cis-eicosatetraenoic acid (leukotriene E4). Analogous products, viz. 5-hydroxy-6-S-cysteinyl-7,9,11-eicosatrienoic acid (leukotriene E3), 5-hydroxy-6-S-cysteinyl-7,9,11-trans-14-cis-eicosatetraenoic acid (11-trans-leukotriene E4), and 5-hydroxy-6-S-cysteinyl-7,9,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoic acid (leukotriene E5) were formed from leukotrienes D3, 11-trans-D4, and D5, respectively. Leukotriene E4 induced slow reacting substance-like contractions of guinea pig ileum but was less potent (8-12 times) than leukotriene C4. The biological potency of 11-trans-leukotriene E4 was similar to that of leukotriene E4.