Prostaglandins, hydroxy fatty acids, leukotrienes and inflammation of the skin

Abstract

There is good evidence that prostaglandins E2, I2 and D2 are mediators of the vascular events of experimentally induced acute inflammation in human skin, but their role in inflammatory skin diseases such as atopic eczema remains to be determined. The relevance of arachidonic acid metabolites in inflammation has been expanded by the recent discovery of many biologically active arachidonate lipoxygenase products. These include monohydroxy fatty acids and a dihydroxy acid (leukotriene B4), which, especially in the latter case, are potent chemotactic agents. Other products include leukotriene C4 and D4, which are vasoactive and appear to be the functionally critical components of slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis. Much work is needed to determine the role of these compounds in inflammatory skin diseases. Copyright © 1982, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved