Journal of Lipid Research, Vol. 13, 458-467, July 1972
Copyright © 1972 by Lipid Research, Inc.

Effects of prostaglandin E₂ on rat skin: inhibition of sterol ester biosynthesis and clearing of scaly lesions in essential fatty acid deficiency

Vincent A. Ziboh and S. L. Hsia

Departments of Dermatology and Biochemistry, University o Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136

Severe scaly lesions in the skin, especially in the feet and tail, of the rat were induced by feeding a diet deficient in essential fatty acids (EFA). Analysis of the fatty acids in skin lipids of these EFA-deficient rats showed a marked increase of monoenoic acids (16:1 and 18:1) and eicosatrienoic acid (20:3), with concomitant decreases of dienoic acid (18:2) and tetraenoic acid (20:4). Topical application of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) to the scaly lesions resulted in clearance of the lesions, but did not significantly alter the composition of fatty acids in the skin. Intraperitoneal injection of PGE₂ had no observable effect on the skin lesions. Furthermore, incubation of skin specimens from the EFA-deficient rats with ¹⁴C-labeled glucose showed a 4-5-fold increase of incorporation of glucose carbon into lipid fractions, particularly the sterol esters, and a 3-4-fold increase in pentose cycle activity. Addition of PGE₂ to the incubation mixture resulted in approximately 70% inhibition of sterol ester biosynthesis by skin of the EFA-deficient rats. These results suggest that the effects of PGE₂ in clearing the scales may be associated with its inhibitory effect on abnormal sterol esterification in the skin of the EFA-deficient rats.

Supplementary key words safflower oil • coconut oil • polyunsaturated fatty acids • eicosatrienoic acid • neutral lipids • polar lipids • sterol esters • keratinization

Submitted on November 22, 1971
Accepted on March 6, 1972

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