Blood levels of vitamin E, polyunsaturated fatty acids of phospholipids, lipoperoxides and glutathione peroxidase in patients affected with seborrheic dermatitis.

Plasma levels of vitamin E (Vit E) and polyunsaturated fatty acids of phospholipids (PUFA-PL) as well as erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity are significantly lower (P less than 0.001) in patients with seborrheic dermatitis (SD). both HIV seropositive or HIV sero-negative, than in control subjects. No differences are found between HIV sero-positive and sero-negative individuals with SD. The deficiency of PUFA-PL (mainly C20: 3 n-6, C20: 4 n-6 and C22: 6 n-3) which is accompanied by a significant increase of saturated palmitic and stearic acids (P less than 0.001), does not appear to be associated with an active lipoperoxidative process in the plasma. The significant blood deficiency of Vit E, GSH-Px, and particularly of PUFA-PL, may play a pathogenetic role in seborrheic dermatitis.