Subject(s)
Melanoma/etiology , Melanoma/prevention & control , Cyclooxygenase 2 , Detergents/adverse effects , Dietary Fats , Epidermis/injuries , Epidermis/pathology , Genetic Predisposition to Disease , Humans , Isoenzymes , Melanoma/genetics , Membrane Proteins , Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases , Sunburn/complicationsABSTRACT
The qualities of para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) are discussed and an account is given of how it came to be the favourite sunscreen of the post World War II era. Slowly, however, dermatologists became aware that it was a fairly common sensitizer and that it tended to cross-sensitize with compounds of similar chemical structure both in contact with the skin and given as systemic drugs. Furthermore, continued exposure to chemicals of this type could lead to autoimmune responses especially systemic lupus erythematosus and dermatomyositis. Discussion of these complications from the use of PABA took place at two meetings of the Dermatological Association of Australia in 1964 and 1965, and played a part in the slow withdrawal of PABA from sunscreens.
Subject(s)
4-Aminobenzoic Acid/history , Sunscreening Agents/history , 4-Aminobenzoic Acid/adverse effects , Australia , Drug Eruptions/etiology , Drug Eruptions/history , History, 20th Century , Humans , Sunscreening Agents/adverse effectsABSTRACT
Samples of subcutaneous adipose tissue were taken from 100 melanoma patients and 100 matched controls in Sydney in 1984-1985 and were analyzed for constituent fatty acids. The mean percentage of linoleic acid in the triglycerides of the subcutaneous adipose tissue (PLASAT) of these subjects was substantially higher than that in a similar group examined in 1975-1976. In addition, the percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids was found to be higher in the melanoma patients than in the controls (p less than 0.01), and there were significantly more controls than patients who had a low PLASAT (p less than 0.01). Relevant literature is quoted and the suggestion is made that increased consumption of dietary polyunsaturates may have a contributory effect in the etiology of melanoma.
Subject(s)
Dietary Fats/adverse effects , Fats, Unsaturated/adverse effects , Melanoma/etiology , Adipose Tissue/analysis , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Arachidonic Acid , Arachidonic Acids/metabolism , Female , Humans , Linoleic Acid , Linoleic Acids/analysis , Male , Middle Aged , Prostaglandins/biosynthesis , Triglycerides/analysisABSTRACT
The consumption of polyunsaturated fat of a group of patients with malignant melanoma was compared to that of various groups of control subjects to determine whether such dietary fats predispose to the development of malignant melanoma. The results are tabulated with reference to various associated factors, and a statistical assessment of their significance is presented. The writers were unable to agree on the interpretation of the results, and present two opposing views on whether the ingestion of polyunsaturated fat is associated with the incidence of malignant melanoma.
