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n-6 Fatty acids and atopic eczema

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Book cover Medicinal Fatty Acids in Inflammation

Part of the book series: Progress in Inflammation Research ((PIR))

Abstract

In 1929 and 1930, Burr and Burr reported the development of a scaly dermatitis in rats fed diets free of unsaturated fats [1,2]. Studies in several animal species and also in humans have now shown that a dietary deficiency of the n-6 essential fatty acid (EFA), linoleic acid, but not of the n-3 EFA, alpha-linolenic acid, leads to a range of skin abnormalities [3-6]. An inflammatory type of reaction is characteristic, with dryness, then scaling, then a breakdown of the skin surface with redness and weeping. At the same time epidermal cells proliferate more rapidly [7] and the skin becomes highly permeable to water leading to serious water loss across the skin surface [8-10].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Scotia Research Institute, Castle Business Park, Stirling, FK9 4TZ, Scotland, UK

    David F. Horrobin

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  1. David F. Horrobin
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  1. Division of Rheumatology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, 12208, USA

    Joel M. Kremer (Professor of Medicine, Head) (Professor of Medicine, Head)

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Horrobin, D.F. (1998). n-6 Fatty acids and atopic eczema. In: Kremer, J.M. (eds) Medicinal Fatty Acids in Inflammation. Progress in Inflammation Research. Birkhäuser, Basel. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-8825-7_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-8825-7_4

  • Publisher Name: Birkhäuser, Basel

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-0348-9788-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-0348-8825-7

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