Biologic significance of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the skin.

Deficiency of essential fatty acid (EFA) containing linoleic acid (18:2n-6) in humans or animals induces morphologic changes characterized by severe scaly dermatosis, extensive percutaneous water loss, and hyperproliferation of the epidermis. Microscopically, the epidermis is characterized by hyperkeratosis and acanthosis. The refeeding of safflower oil containing linoleic acid or primrose oil (containing linoleic acid [18:2n-6] and gamma-linolenic acid [18:3n-6]) acids to EFA-deficient guinea pigs reverses the EFA-deficiency symptoms.

Metabolic effects of enteral formula feeding in alcoholic hepatitis.

The etiology of malnutrition and the metabolic effect of aggressive nutritional support by enteral feeding were evaluated in patients with moderately severe alcoholic hepatitis. Among 21 patients presenting with jaundice, ascites, coagulopathy and low grade encephalopathy, the mean digestibilities (intake - fecal excretion/intake x 100) of total energy and fat were subnormal at 74.6 +/- 2.

Capsaicin and its effects upon meal patterns, and glucagon and epinephrine suppression of food intake.

The neurotoxin capsaicin has been shown to selectively interfere with unmyelinated sensory fibers, as well as leading to depletions of substance P and other peptides. Meal pattern analysis was performed both before and after treatment with capsaicin in twelve adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Capsaicin treatment only briefly altered feeding patterns.

Hypothermia protects the cochlea from noise damage.

Thresholds of the cochlear action potential were obtained from rodents at euthermic (38 degrees C) and hypothermic (30 degrees and 25 degrees C) rectal temperatures. In the gerbil, low and middle frequency (1-8 kHz) thresholds increased an average of 2.3 dB per degrees C decrease of body temperature; at 16 kHz, 3.