（±）4-HDHA是二十二碳六烯酸（DHA）在体外的自氧化产物。它也是由DHA在大鼠肝脏、大脑和肠道微粒体中的孵育产生的。RBL-1细胞对DHA的酶转化也会产生4-HDHA。然而，酶的产物很可能是S-异构体。（±）4-HDHA是脑和视网膜氧化应激的潜在标志物，其中DHA是一种丰富的多不饱和脂肪酸。 (±)4-HDHA is an autoxidation product of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in vitro. It is also produced from incubations of DHA in rat liver, brain, and intestinal microsomes. Enzymatic transformation of DHA by RBL-1 cells also produces 4-HDHA.However, the enzymatic product is most likely the S-isomer. (±)4-HDHA is a potential marker of oxidative stress in brain and retina where DHA is an abundant polyunsaturated fatty acid.