The effect of topically applied agents on ultraviolet erythema in guinea pigs.

It has been shown previously that ultraviolet erythema (UV) is partially the result of a local release of prostaglandins. We have studied the effects of different classes of pharmacological agents applied topically to the skin of guinea pigs and have found indomethacin and pirprofen, both prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors, to be highly effective suppressors of UV erythema. Our studies appear to further substantiate that prostaglandin synthesis and release may be the primary mechanistic process in the production of erythema and that the model itself can be predictive of both therapeutic and prophylactic effects of agents against sunburn.