8(r) hete

8(R)-HETE is biosynthesized via lipoxygenation of arachidonic acid in marine invertebrates, including gorgonian corals and starfish. The stereochemical assignment of the (R) enantiomer is confirmed by comparing chiral HPLC retention times to published results.

8(S),15(S)-DiHETE is formed when 15(S)-HETE is subjected to further oxidation by 15-LO. It causes eosinophil chemotaxis with an ED50 value of 1.5 μM but is not chemotactic for neutrophils. 8(S),15(S)-DiHETE antagonizes the hyperalgesic activity of 8(R),15(S)-DiHETE and LTB4 in the rat hind paw pain model.

Metabolism of 12(R)-HETE in corneal tissue produces predominantly the compound resulting from the loss of four carbon atoms through β-oxidation from C-1. This metabolite is 8(R)-hydroxy hexadecatrienoic acid (8(R)-HHxTrE) or 2,3,4,5-tetranor 12(R)-HETE.