Isolated Krebs perifused rat pancreatic islets in the presence of 10 mM glucose convert 12S-HPETE into two hydroxy-epoxides, 8H-11,12-EPETE and 10H-11,12-EPETE for which we propose the name Hepoxilin A and B respectively. Hepoxilin A was investigated for its capacity to release insulin by this preparation. Insulin secretion by these cells, measured in the perifusate by radioimmunoassay, was dependent on the glucose concentration in the perifusing medium. Hepoxilin A dose dependently enhanced further the release of insulin during glucose (10 mM) stimulation (120 +/- 51% at 0.5 x 10(-6) M (n = 3) and 282 +/- 58% at 2.1 x 10(-6) M (n = 3) above control). These results suggest that Hepoxilin A (and possibly also Hepoxilin B) could be the active intermediate(s) involved in the potentiation of glucose dependent insulin secretion by both arachidonic acid and 12-HPETE.