The arachidonic acid metabolites 5-oxo-[6E,8Z,11Z,14Z]-eicosatetraen oic acid (5oETE) and 5-oxo-15-hydroxy-[6E,8Z,11Z,13E]-eicosatetrae noi c acid (5oHETE) are potent eosinophil chemotaxins. Here, the activation profile of 5-oxo-eicosanoids in eosinophils was further characterized and compared to other eosinophil activators such as complement fragment C5a (C5a), platelet-activating factor (PAF), interleukin-5 (IL-5), and phorbol ester (PMA). Flow cytometric studies revealed a rapid and transient actin polymerization upon stimulation by both 5-oxo-eicosanoids. Desensitization studies using actin polymerization as the parameter indicated cross-desensitization between the two 5-oxo-eicosanoids but revealed no interference with the response to other chemotaxins. Fluorescence measurements with Fura-2-labeled eosinophils in the presence of EGTA indicated Ca2+-mobilization from intracellular stores by 5oETE and 5oHETE. Both 5-oxo-eicosanoids stimulated the production of reactive oxygen metabolites as demonstrated by lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence, superoxide dismutase-inhibitable cytochrome C reduction, and flow cytometric dihydrorhodamine-123 analysis. At optimal concentrations the changes induced by 5-oxo-eicosanoids were comparable to those obtained by C5a and PAF, whereas IL-5 and PMA induced only a restricted pattern of cell responses. Cell responses elicited by 5-oxo-eicosanoids were inhibited by pertussis toxin, indicating coupling of the putative 5-oxo-eicosanoid-receptor to G-proteins. These results indicate that 5-oxo-eicosanoids are stong activators of eosinophils with comparable biologic activity to the eosinophil chemotaxins C5a and PAF. These findings point to a role of 5-oxo-eicosanoids in the pathogenesis of eosinophilic inflammation as chemotaxins as well as activators of pro-inflammatory activities.