The fatty acids and the skin: a focus on the n-6 family of unsaturated fatty acids

TL;DRAbstract

Linoleic acid (18:2(n-6)) is an essential fatty acid, and it is the parent fatty acid for all other fatty acids belonging to the n-6 fatty acid family, e.g. γ-linolenic acid (18:3(n-6), dihomo-γ- linolenic acid (20:3(n-6), arachidonic acid (20:4(n-6)), and adrenic acid (22:4(n-6)). The traditional symptoms seen after prolonged dietary deficiency of (n-6)-fatty acids, e.g. increased trans-epidermal water loss, scaly skin, hair loss and poor growth, can all be ascribed to a lack of linoleic acid in special O-acylated ceramides, which constitute part of the lipid structure of the lamellar membranes between the cornocytes in stratum corneum of the epidermis. These extracellular lamellar membranes form together with the cornocytes a significant part of the water permeability barrier of the skin. Other deficiency symptoms, e.g. kidney failure, may possibly be explained by specific functions of arachidonic acid and/or its derivatives. For young growing animals, including humans, a dietary int

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