title: [A chance for the prevention of atopic diseases].
abstract: The proposed concept links the alterations in cell-mediated and humoral immunity in atopy to impaired prostaglandin E (PGE)-mediated thymic maturation of T-suppressor lymphocytes and diminished activation of T-suppressor lymphocytes of the peripheral atopic immune system. The decreased sensitivity of atopic T lymphocytes to PGE, recently explained by a reduction of PGE2-receptors on atopic lymphocytes, is regarded as the common underlying defect in atopy. A second defect, the delta-6-desaturase deficiency, affects the regular supply of the PGE-precursors dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid and arachidonic acid and predisposes for atopic dermatitis. Furthermore, the composition of omega-6-fatty acids in breast milk of atopic mothers represents a delta-6-desaturase deficiency. Substitution of the delta-6-desaturase product gamma-linolenic acid to the atopic pregnant and nursing woman and her newborn infant at increased risk for atopy offers a chance for the prevention of atopic diseases.
authors.affiliation: Hautklinik der Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf.
authors.forename: B C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Melnik
mesh_terms: D001942:Breast Feeding; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases / Q000172:deficiency*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008042:Linolenic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D050602:Linoleoyl-CoA Desaturase; D011247:Pregnancy; D011458:Prostaglandins E / Q000502:physiology; D011982:Receptors, Prostaglandin / Q000172:deficiency*; D018078:Receptors, Prostaglandin E; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid
chemical_list: D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D008042:Linolenic Acids; D011458:Prostaglandins E; D011982:Receptors, Prostaglandin; D018078:Receptors, Prostaglandin E; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid; D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases; D050602:Linoleoyl-CoA Desaturase
vernacular_title: Eine Chance zur Prävention atopischer Erkrankungen.