The physiology and pathophysiology of eicosanoids in the skin.

Eicosanoids may play a role in the pathophysiology of common inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis and atopic eczema. Their involvement offers the hope for development of new antiinflammatory drugs for use in dermatopharmacology. On the other hand, new findings also suggest a tissue protective role of prostanoids in skin. In addition, physiological functions of lipoxygenase-derived eicosanoids are emerging, which may serve to maintain cutaneous integrity and restore normal skin structure after injury.