Human Skin Lipids and Their Relation to Skin Diseases

摘要

This report confirms previous investigations concerning certain fractions of the unsaponifiables from human scalp surface lipids which have been found to be active in producing irritation and follicular hyperkeratosis on the inner surface of the rabbit ear when applied in acetone-alcohol solution. On the hypothesis that the irritating effect of the lipids results from oxidation products produced in them, the effect of unsaponifiables obtained after scalps of volunteers were treated with an anti-oxidant (dl-alpha-tocopherol) was compared with unsaponifiables obtained when the scalps were not so portected. Tocopherol treatment did definitely decrease the concentration of peroxides in the lipids collected. However, no clear-cut difference in the effect on the rabbit ear could be determined; effect of both samples was small. The results of a preliminary double blind study suggest that solutions of dl-alpha-tocopherol in 95% ethanol (containing 1% acetone) may be beneficial in treating acne vulgaris.