Abstract
Essential fatty acids (EFA) are important components of phospholipids of cell membrane and are precursors of inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandins leukotrienes. Hansen first reported (1937) a decrease in plasmatic levels of EFA in subjects with atopic dermatitis (AD) and a clinical improvement with dietary-supplementation of fresh lard or maze oil. The studies on ecosanoids metabolism have recently focused the attention on the EFA levels in different diseases. We previously showed a correlation between the decrease of C20:4 and C20:3 in PBL of 30 children with moderate to severe AD. In order to investigate the role of EFA in the development of atopic diseases we undertook a prospective study on 34 cord blood lymphocytes of infants “at risk” for atopic diseases and 30 cord blood control. The analyses were performed by a combined technique of thin layer chromatography and gas chromatography on capillary column. The preliminary results showed a significant decrease in C 20;4, C 20:3, and in the ratio polyunsaturated/saturated EFA in the cord blood lymphocytes of infants “at risk” in respect to control group. No relation was found between high (>0.8 U/ml) IgE in cord sera and decreased levels of arachidonic acid in lymphocytes. The clinical and immunological followup of “at risk” infants can clarify if EFA changes may be a basic and predictive feature of AD.
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