Formation of 12-lipoxygenase metabolites in rat cerebral cortical slices: stimulation by calcium ionophore, glutamate and N-methyl-D-aspartate.

Abstract

The 12-lipoxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism in rat cerebral cortex slices is stimulated by exogenous arachidonic acid, Ca2+ ionophore A23187, phorbol ester, glutamate, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) but not by kainate and other neurotransmitters except norepinephrine. The 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid formed is the (S)-enantiomer. A specific role for 12-lipoxygenase metabolites in NMDA receptor activation and long term potentiation is proposed.