CORD-BLOOD MONONUCLEAR LEUKOCYTES OF NEONATES AT RISK OF ATOPY HAVE ADEFICIENCY OF ARACHIDONIC-ACID

Essential fatty acids and their 6-g-desaturated derivatives are major components of cellular membrane phospholipids, contributing to their s tability and functions. They are also precursors of inflammation media tors such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes, and are involved in cell ular immunoregulation. Recent studies have stressed the importance of essential fatty acids in various diseases. Patients with atopic dermat itis have altered essential fatty acids levels in plasma and a clinica l improvement has been shown after oral administration of essential fa tty acids. The aim of our study was to investigate the distribution of essential fatty acids in the membranes of cord blood mononuclear leuk ocytes of newborns at risk of atopy, and to correlate the levels of es sential fatty acids at birth with total IgE values and with the onset of atopic disease. Newborns at risk of atopic disease have a significa nt reduction in arachidonic acid in the membranes of cord blood mononu clear leukocytes. Our data show a significant decrease in arachidonic acid in neonates at risk of atopy, suggesting that the abnormality of essential fatty acids is a primary phenomenon associated with atopic s tatus.