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Biosynthesis of prostaglandins in human allergic contact dermatitis

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Summary

The biosynthesis of prostaglandins by human inflamed skin was studied in 5 patients with allergic contact dermatitis induced by patch tests. Inflamed skin from these patients evidenced an increased ability to synthesize prostaglandins. In the presence of exogenous arachidonic acid in the incubation medium, the activity formed was about 60% greater in inflamed skin than in noninflamed control skin. In prostaglandin E1-equivalents the concentration amounted to 9.19 ± 2.02 ng/mg protein nitrogen and 5.74 ± 1.97 ng/mg protein nitrogen, respectively (mean values ± S.E.). When inflamed skin was incubated without excess of exogenous precursor acids in the incubation medium the activity formed was about 130 times lower and the values were similar to those of non-inflamed skin. Thus, the present results support the view that the prostaglandin system is activated in allergic contact dermatitis, thereby providing a basis for future therapeutic attempts to control this disorder.

Zusammenfassung

Die Biosynthese der Prostaglandine in entzündlicher menschlicher Haut wurde bei 5 Patienten mit einer allergischen Kontaktdermatitis im Bereiche der Epicutan-Teste untersucht. Die entzündliche Haut dieser Patienten zeigte eine erhöhte Fähigkeit zur Prostaglandinsynthese durch Zugabe von Arachidonsäure. Zu dem Inkubationsmedium wurde die Aktivität innerhalb um 60% in der entzündeten Haut erhöht im Vergleich zur Kontrolle der nicht entzündeten Haut der gleichen Patienten. Die Konzentration der PGE1-Äquivalente stieg auf 9,19 ± 2,02 ng/mg in der entzündeten Haut im Verhältnis zu 5,75 ± 1,97 ng/mg innerhalb der Kontrollhaut. Wenn die entzündete Haut ohne Überschuß an exogenen Vorläufern der Prostaglandine inkubiert wurde, war die Aktivität 130mal geringer, und die Werte glichen dann der nicht entzündeten Haut. Diese Ergebnisse unterstützen die Ansicht, daß das Prostaglandinsystem bei der allergischen Kontaktdermatitis aktiviert wird. Daraus ergaben sich Gesichtspunkte für therapeutische Maßnahmen in der Zukunft.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Dermatology, Rigshospital and Hvidovre hospital, University of Copenhagen, Kettegaard allé 30, DK-2650, Hvidovre, Denmark

    Hans Paulli Jørgensen

  2. Hvidovre hospital, University Department of Dermatology, Kettegaard allé 30, DK-2650, Hvidovre, Denmark

    Jørgen Søndergaard

Authors
  1. Hans Paulli Jørgensen
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  2. Jørgen Søndergaard
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Additional information

This work was supported by grant 512-1086 from the Danish State Research Foundation. We are grateful to Miss H. A. Heiligstädt for skill ful technical assistance

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Jørgensen, H.P., Søndergaard, J. Biosynthesis of prostaglandins in human allergic contact dermatitis. Arch. Derm. Res. 257, 143–147 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00558087

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