Original Article

Journal of Investigative Dermatology (1975) 64, 228–234; doi:10.1111/1523-1747.ep12510667

CORRECTION OF THE CUTANEOUS MANIFESTATIONS OF ESSENTIAL FATTY ACID DEFICIENCY IN MAN BY APPLICATION OF SUNFLOWER-SEED OIL TO THE SKIN

Colin Prottey, Peter J Hartop and Martin Press

Environmental Safety Division, Unilever Research Laboratory, Sham brook, Bedford, and Royal Postgraduate Medical School London, United Kingdom

Received 27 September 1974; Revised 11 November 1974; Accepted 15 November 1974.

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Abstract

In three patients, previously shown to be essential fatty acid deficient as a result of chronic malabsorption, by virtue of their characteristically abnormal serum lipids, we have further identified cutaneous manifestations of the syndrome, including abnormally low levels of linoleic acid and the presence of 5,8, 11-eicosatrienoic acid in their epidermal lecithin, and, in two patients, a scaly dermatitis.

After cutaneous application of sunflower-seed oil, which is rich in linoleic acid, to their right forearms for 2 weeks, the level of linoleic acid in their epidermal lecithin was markedly increased, the rate of transepidermal water loss was significantly lowered, and the scaly lesions disappeared. No such changes were seen in their left forearms after cutaneous application of olive oil, rich in oleic acid. Control patients who were not malabsorbers and were not deficient in essential fatty acids showed none of these changes after cutaneous application of sunflower-seed oil.

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