Abstract

Plasma phospholipids of patients with psoriasis have significantly reduced levels of dihomogammalinolenic acid (20:3n-6), arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) and adrenic acid (22:4n-6), the precursors of the 1, 2 and homo-2 series of prostaglandins (PGs). Concentrations of the 3 series PG precursor, eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3) were normal. Hospital treatment with a coal tar regime produced a rise in 20:3n-6 to levels which were significantly above normal.