15epilipoxins

15epilipoxins are a subset of epilipoxins, a broader group of oxidized lipid mediators derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids such as arachidonic acid. The designation "15" refers to a structural feature associated with modification or epoxidation at or near the 15-position on the lipoxin framework, resulting in a family of closely related isomeric compounds. They are produced in biological systems through enzymatic oxygenation by lipoxygenases and cytochrome P450 enzymes and are detected in tissues and bodily fluids using lipidomics methods such as mass spectrometry.

Chemically, 15epilipoxins are characterized by an epoxide-containing structure that differentiates them from canonical lipoxins. The exact stereochemistry and substituent patterns can vary among individual compounds within the group, giving rise to multiple isomers with potentially distinct biological activities. Their formation is considered part of the wider landscape of oxygenated fatty acid mediators that arise during inflammatory responses and later resolution phases.

Biological activity and relevance are areas of active investigation. In experimental systems, 15epilipoxins have been linked to modulation of inflammatory processes and resolution signals, with effects that may include changes in neutrophil behavior, macrophage function, or vascular responses. However, findings can be context- and isomer-dependent, and robust in vivo evidence remains limited.

In summary, 15epilipoxins are a recently explored class of epoxy-containing lipid mediators related to lipoxins. They are studied as part of ongoing efforts to map specialized pro-resolving mediators and to understand their roles in inflammation and tissue repair.