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Growth suppression of hamster flank organs by topical
application of gamma-linolenic and other fatty acid inhibitors of
5 alpha-reductase.AUTHOR
Liang T; Liao SJOURNAL
Journal of Investigational Dermatology: 1997 Aug; 109 (2): 152-7ABSTRACT
Certain unsaturated aliphatic fatty acids, such as gamma-linolenic
acid, inhibit 5alpha-reductase activity in vitro and in vivo. Hamster
flank organ growth, as measured by the increase in the area of pigmented
macule, is dependent on androgen. When one of the paired flank organs
of a castrated hamster was treated topically with testosterone,
the treated organ, but not the contralateral flank organ, became
larger and darker. Topical application of gamma-linolenic acid to
the testosterone-treated flank organ suppressed this testosterone
effect. Other fatty acids that were not inhibitors of 5alpha-reductases
were not active. Topical treatment of hamster flank organs with
5alpha-dihydrotestosterone also stimulated the growth of the organ.
This 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone-dependent activity, however, was
not significantly affected by gamma-linolenic acid, suggesting that
flank organ growth was dependent on 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone and
that gamma-linolenic acid acted by inhibiting 5alpha-reductase.
With intact male hamsters, the endogenous androgen-dependent growth
of flank organs is also suppressed by topical treatment with gamma-linolenic
acid. The effect of gamma-linolenic acid is localized at the site
of its application; topical application of gamma-linolenic acid
did not affect the androgen-dependent growth of other organs such
as testis, epididymis, seminal vesicle, and prostate. gamma-Linolenic
acid, with low toxicity and absence of systemic effect, therefore
may be potentially useful for treatment of androgen-dependent skin
disorders.
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