Cutaneous vascular reactions to prostaglandins in healthy subjects and in patients with urticaria and atopic dermatitis.

The vasodilator effects on animal and human skin of PGS (prostaglandins) was studied in a clinical test. The effects of intradermally injected PGE1 PGE2 PGF1alpha and PGF1alpha were studied in healthy subjects. Additionally the reaction to PGE1 was studied in healthy subjects and in patients with the following dermatological conditions: urticaria atropic dermatitis eczematous dermatitis and psoriasis. Reaction information is tabulated and dose-response curves are plotted. In all subjects intradermal injection of 1 ng-5 mug of PGE1 gave a characteristic erythematous reaction lasting for 1-10 hours. When the 4 PGs were administered intradermally PGE2 and PGE1 had essentially the same effect on the skin. The erythema produced by PGF1 and PGF2 was considerably smaller and neither erythematous streaks nor hyperalgesia were present. The erythematous reaction to PGE1 was greater and more prolonged in patients suffering dermatological conditions. The reaction to PGE1 was not influenced by histamine depletion antihistamines or atropine. Intravenous infusion of a kallikrein inhibitor reduced the effects of high but not of low doses of PGE1. It is suggested that PGE1 might be a main mediator of antidromic vasodilatation and an important factor in inflammatory response.