title: The effect of essential fatty acids on epidermal atrophy due to topical steroids.
abstract: The effect of topical n-6 essential fatty acids in the form of evening primrose oil on the epidermal atrophy caused by a potent topical steroid was studied in 24 normal volunteers by measuring epidermal thickness and cross-sectional area and by histological examination. Epidermal thickness and cross-sectional area were significantly lower in normal forearm skin treated with 0.1% betamethasone valerate twice daily without occlusion for 3 weeks when compared with placebo-treated skin. The addition of evening primrose oil to the topical steroid did not prevent steroid-induced epidermal atrophy suggesting that steroid-induced epidermal atrophy is not mediated by the inhibition of essential fatty acid release from cell membranes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Bristol Royal Infirmary, UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oliwiecki
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Armstrong
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Burton
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bradfield
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001284:Atrophy / Q000139:chemically induced; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008041:Linoleic Acids; D008875:Middle Aged; D031665:Oenothera biennis; D010938:Plant Oils; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D008041:Linoleic Acids; D010938:Plant Oils; C028498:evening primrose oil; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid