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Essential fatty acid deficient hairless mouse: the effects of topical agents on the epidermis
Author(s) -
LOWE NICHOLAS J.
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1977.tb15425.x
Subject(s) - hairless , dna synthesis , epidermis (zoology) , acanthosis , linoleic acid , psoriasis , fatty acid synthesis , biology , keratinocyte , prostaglandin , endocrinology , fatty acid , dna , biochemistry , pharmacology , chemistry , immunology , in vitro , hyperkeratosis , genetics , anatomy
SUMMARY Essential fatty acid deficient (EFA deficient) hairless mice were used to test the ability of topical agents to reduce the high epidermal DNA synthesis and acanthosis present in EFA deficiency. An established therapeutic agent known to be effective in psoriasis (betamethasone 17‐valerate) significantly reduced the epidermal DNA synthesis, mitotic count and epidermal cell thickness. Linoleic acid reduced DNA synthesis and returned epidermal histology towards that of normal skin. Prostaglandin E 2 analogue (15 (S)‐15‐methyl PGE 2 methyl ester) reduced epidermal DNA synthesis both in treated and distant skin sites. Prostaglandin E 2 was less effective than the analogue but slightly reduced epidermal DNA synthesis and thickness. Prostaglandin F 2α had no obvious effect on the epidermis. Chlorambucil reduced epidermal DNA synthesis and thickness. Vitamin A acid increased DNA synthesis and epidermal cell thickness but reduced the hypcrkcratosis of EFA deficiency. A rapid epidermal cell transit was found in EFA deficient mice, approximately three times faster than in normal mouse epidermis.