Resolvins are a group of polyhydroxylated metabolites of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) found in the inflammatory exudates of aspirin-treated experimental animals. 17(R)-HDHA is the primary oxygenation product of DHA when exposed to aspirin-inhibited cyclooxygenase-2. 17(R)-HDHA serves as a precursor to resolvins and has intrinsic biological activity, such as the inhibition of TNFalpha-induced IL-1beta expression in human glioma cells.