TITLE

Growth suppression of hamster flank organs by topical application of gamma-linolenic and other fatty acid inhibitors of 5alpha-reductase.

AUTHOR Liang T; Liao S

ORGANISATION Ben May Institute for Cancer Research and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Illinois 60637, U.S.A.

SOURCE J Invest Dermatol 1997 Aug; 109 (2): 152-7

LANGUAGE OF ORIGIN English

ABSTRACT

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.

(AUTHOR) MJTR: gamma-Linolenic Acid PD. Enzyme Inhibitors PD. Growth DE. Mesocricetus AH. Oxidoreductases AI. MNTR: Administration, Topical. Animal. Hamsters. Male. Models, Biological. Orchiectomy. Pigmentation DE. Sebaceous Glands PH. Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.. JOURNAL ARTICLE RNUM: EC 1. (Oxidoreductases); EC 1.3.1.22 (cholestenone 5 alpha-reductase); 0 (Enzyme Inhibitors); 506-26-3 (gamma-Linolenic Acid) GEOT: UNITED STATES IDEN: ISSN: 0022-202X. JOURNAL-CODE: IHZ. ENTRY-DATE: 970820. NIH-GRANT-NUMBER: DK41670DKNIDDK. CA58073CANCI. JOURNAL-SUBSET: M X. IM-DATE: 9710. ACCE: 97385005