The effect of etretinate on the cyclo‐oxygenase and lipoxygenase products of arachidonic acid metabolism in psoriatic skin.

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Abstract
Eight psoriatic patients were treated with etretinate (50 mg daily) for 6 weeks. Skin chamber exudates from involved and uninvolved skin were assayed for arachidonic acid, 12‐HETE, PGE2 and for neutrophil chemokinetic activity co‐chromatographing with leukotriene B4, before and at weekly intervals during therapy. Pre‐treatment concentrations of arachidonic acid, 12‐HETE and leukotriene B4‐like chemokinetic activity but not of PGE2 were elevated in involved skin when compared to uninvolved skin. The concentrations of arachidonic acid and 12‐HETE declined during therapy but changes in PGE2 were minimal. LTB4‐like activity was detectable in involved skin both before and after etretinate treatment. Clinically, scaling and infiltration improved but erythema was still evident.