Increased Concentrations of Arachidonic Acid, Prostaglandins E2, D2, and 6-oxo-F1α, and Histamine in Human Skin Following UVA Irradiation

Abstract

The buttock skin of clinically normal human subjects was subjected to approximately 2.5 minimal erythema doses of ultraviolet A irradiation. Deep red erythema developed during irradiation, faded slightly within the next few hours, increased to maximum intensity between 9-15 h, and decreased gradually thereafter although still persisting strongly at 48 h. Suction blister exudates were obtained at 0, 5, 9, 15, 24, and 48 h after irradiation as well as suction blister exudates from a contralateral control site and assayed for arachidonic acid, prostaglandins D2 and E2, and the prostacyclin breakdown product 6-oxo-prostaglandin F1 alpha by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and for histamine by radioenzyme assay. Increased concentrations of arachidonic acid and prostaglandins D2, E2, and 6-oxo-prostaglandin F1 alpha were found maximally between 5-9 h after irradiation, preceding the phase of maximal erythema. Elevations of histamine concentration occurred 9-15 h after irradiation, preceding and coinciding with the phase of maximal erythema. At 24 h, still at the height of the erythemal response, all values had returned to near control levels. Hence increased concentrations of arachidonic acid and its products from the cyclooxygenase pathway, and of histamine, accompany the early stages up to 24 h. A causal role in production of the erythema seems likely for these substances although other mediators are almost certainly involved.

Modulation of ultraviolet‐induced hyperalgesia and cytokine upregulation by interleukins 10 and 13

“…Despite di erences in animal species and in the amounts and methods used for UVR, several authors have reported long lasting changes in neuropeptides (Benrath et al, 1995;Eschenfelder et al, 1995;Gillardon et al, 1992;Greaves & Sùndergaard, 1970;Polga r et al, 1998), histamine and prostaglandins (Greaves & Sùndergaard, 1970;Hawk et al, 1983) and other mediators known to contribute to the in¯ammatory reaction (for review, see Hruza & Pentland, 1993). Increased levels of proin¯ammatory and antiin¯am-matory cytokines in the skin or in the plasma have also been observed following UVR.…”

“…Skin in¯ammation due to acute exposure to UVR has been shown to be characterized by the release of neuropeptides, histamine, prostaglandins, serotonin and oxygen radicals (Benrath et al, 1995;Eschenfelder et al, 1995;Greaves & Sùndergaard, 1970;Hawk et al, 1983;Hruza & Pentland, 1993) and the upregulation of proin¯ammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1 (Araneo et al, 1989;Gahring et al, 1984;Kupper et al 1987) and IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) (KoÈ ck et al, 1990;Oxholm et al, 1988). Prolonged or repetitive exposure to UVB, however, has been reported to lead to generalized immunosuppression (Streilein et al, 1994) through the production/secretion of antiin¯ammatory cytokines such as IL-4, and IL-10 (Araneo et al, 1989;Rivas & Ullrich, 1992;Shreedhar et al, 1998).…”

Photochemistry and photobiology of actinic erythema: defensive and reparative cutaneous mechanisms

“…The increase in PG E 2 , D 2 and prostacyclin after UVA irradiation is also dose-dependent and reaches maximum levels 5-9 h after exposure. After 15 h, these substances begin to decrease and finally return to basal levels 24 h later (8). PG E 2 seems to be involved in the epidermal growth resulting from the exposure and increased vascular permeability (85) through the increase in leukotriene C4 levels.…”

“…Other signs and symptoms include skin sensitivity to touch, as well as edema, discomfort and pain. Delayed pigmentation or tanning begins after the second or third day and, finally, after a period of 6 to 10 days peeling can occur (7,8).…”

Lipoxygenase products of arachidonic acid in human inflamed skin.

“…Cellulose ester films containing 3% dithranol were prepared as previously described (Schroot et al, 1984 , (1983b) for the dithranol experiment. PGE2 and 12-HETE were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry as previously described (Hawk et al, 1983;Barr et al, 1984b). Fractions co-chromatographing with LTB4 were analysed for chemokinetic activity with the agarose microdroplet chemokinesis assay using human neutrophils (Camp et al, 1983b were low (< 100 pg ml[') and close to the limits of the assay; small increases were not significant.…”