Phospholipase A2 activity modulates "ischemic effect" in pig skin.

The level of cyclic AMP in the epidermis rapidly increase within 15 min after separation from the in vivo condition. This phenomenon is the so-called "ischemic effect." In order to elucidate the possible mechanism of the ischemic effect, the effects of melittin and mepacrine on the ischemic condition of the skin were studied. Melittin, a stimulator of phospholipase A2, lessened the increase of cyclic AMP, while mepacrine, an inhibitor of phospholipase A2, potentiated the increase of cyclic AMP during the ischemic condition. The overall results suggest that phospholipase A2 may play an important role in the induction of the ischemic condition through membrane alteration.