Lack of effect of the abnormal fatty acid metabolism in NC/Nga mice on their atopic dermatitis

Although clinical evidence has suggested that dysoregulated fatty acid meta bolism is associated with atopic disorders, the molecular basis for such a correlation remains to be demonstrated. In the present study, Ne analyzed t he fatty acid composition in peripheral blood cells of NC/Nga mice, a model for atopic dermatitis (AD). We found that arachidonic acid significantly a ccumulated in mice with the AD manifestation. In addition, the leucotriene B-4-releasing ability upon calcium ionophore A23187 stimulation was potenti ated in blood cells. An arachidonic acid accumulation was not apparent in t he non-atopic BALB/c strain, but was still observed in healthy NC/Nga mice fed under specific pathogen-free conditions. These results indicate that a disturbed fatty acid metabolism in NC/Nga mice was not a trigger factor for their dermatitis development.