Monohydroxylated Fatty Acids in Mouse Epidermis Papilloma Quantification and Stereochemical Characterization

Two-stage chemical carcinogenesis in mouse epidermis by an initiation/promotion protocol based on topical DMBA/TPA application is accompanied by a strong activation of 8(S)- and 12 (S)-lipoxygenase activity (DMBA: dimethylbenzanthracene, TPA: tetradecanoyl-phorbol-lB-acetate) (1–3). Using high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), a new method for quantitative profiling of monohydroxylated long-chain fatty acids by gas chromatography-(electron impact) mass spectrometry (GC-(posEI)MS) (4) and chiral phase HPLC (CP-HPLC) (5), we have addressed the question, whether or not this induction of lipoxygenase activity is accompanied by increased epidermal tissue levels of free hydroxylated fatty acids.