Dermagenesis Rx is a revolutionary product unlike any other in the market. It combats both intrinsic (from within) and exogenous (from outside factors) aging. All ingredients were carefully selected by Dr. Karampahtsis to synergistically work and combat the effects of aging on the skin. Most products in the market focus only on the photo-aging, aging that comes from outside factors such as sun exposure and environmental pollution.

Dermagenesis Rx contains the most effective ingredients that fight aging; the effectiveness of each and every ingredient in the cream is backed up by numerous scientific studies. The proprietary blend used is safe and effective to restore moisture, stimulate fibroblasts to build new collagen, reduce free radicals and inflammation, as well as to suppress destruction of collagen by reducing matrix metalloproteinase activity in fibroblasts.

Based on the published studies performed by various scientists the results after six months of application are superior. The effects on the skin are: significant reduction of the depth of the wrinkles, elimination of lines, increased elasticity, increased firmness, suppleness and volume. Moreover reduction of wrinkle counts, increase in moisture, and decrease in naso-labial wrinkle depth has been observed. Oil production is normalized and blood flow on the surface can show improvement.

What’s even better with Dermagenesis Rx is that it contains no harmful preservatives or chemicals that have been identified as carcinogens or have been questioned as not safe by many. The liposomal delivery system allows deeper penetration of the active ingredients into the dermis, where they have the chance to work and create the beneficial effects.

In difficult economic times, when the consumer can not afford the use of technology or the luxury of multiple treatments and products, Dermagenesis Rx brings the best solution to rejuvenation of the aging skin: one potent product that delivers results and with minimal cost. It is safe and effective and can be used by both females and males, even for those that do not want to spend a lot of time taking care of their skin. One application on clean skin before bedtime is all it takes. One bottle can last up to two months and deliver continuous day to day rejuvenation and protection to the skin.

If you need to use one product to deliver the most impact on your aging skin to reverse and slow down aging, Dermagenesis Rx is the one you have been looking for. (suitable for ages 30 and older).

Dr. Karampahtis carefully chose the ingredients that formulate this anti-aging and restoring cream for the face that can be used by both males and females.

Proprietary blend of Estriol, Lipoic Acid, Progesterone, Lecithin, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vasopressin, in a liposomal cream base with a touch of lavender oil. No artificial preservatives or chemicals. No Parabens. Petrolatum , propylene glycol (PEG) and diethanolamine (DEA) free.

Estriol is a weak estrogen that in the right amounts can stimulate collagen in the skin. Levels used are enough to work topically but will not be found into circulation. Low levels of estriol help to correct topically symptoms such as dry eyes, small wrinkles, such as parenthesis lines. Studies show that estrogen's effects on the skin include: Greater skin thickness due to increased collagen production, disappearance of fine lines and wrinkles, better skin structure and elasticity, greater vascularization (oxygen and nutrient carrying blood vessels), increased moisture content, as well as inhibition of excessive sebum (oil) production.

Vasopressin is another hormone that affects the skin and the microcirculation.  Lack of vasopressin causes the body to lose too much water. It is used to improve lines and wrinkles especially around the eyes (crows feet lines). Used to keep hydration in the tissues where it is applied and to reduce  the excessive dilation of vessels in conditions such as rosacea and inflammatory skin conditions.

Progesterone helps keep the skin supple and plumped. It helps to restore volume in the dermis. Studies have shown:  increase in skin firmness, reduction in wrinkle count near the eye and reduction of the depth of laugh lines.

Lipoic Acid is a strong anti-oxidant to protect the skin cells from oxidative damage due to sun exposure and environmental pollutants. Moreover ALA is a strong anti-inflamatory agent to help reduce inflammation on the skin that can cause more damage.

Vitamin A  is an antioxidant with well known and studied capabilities to restore and rejuvenate the skin as well as improve the microcirculation; used to help with color and to enhance the effects of the other anti-oxidants in the cream

Vitamin E is another powerful antioxidant.  It protects the skin from environmental pollution and against UV radiation. It is also an excellent moisturizer, anti-inflammatory.

The liposomal delivery cream base helps all the above ingredients to penetrate through the epidermis deeper into the dermis to enhance delivery of the active ingredients.

Lavender oil is used as a natural fragrance enhancement of the cream.

Schmidt JB, Binder M, Demschik G, Bieglmayer C, Reiner A.

Department of Dermatology, University of Vienna Medical School, Austria.

BACKGROUND. The coincidence of climacteric symptoms and the beginning of skin aging suggests that estrogen deficiency may be a common and important factor in the perimenopausal woman. Often hormones have been considered important in endogenous aging of the skin, but their role has not been clearly defined. Therefore, we investigated, whether topical treatment of the skin with estrogen could reverse some of the changes in the aging skin. MATERIAL AND METHODS. The effects of 0.01% estradiol and 0.3% estriol compounds were compared in 59 preclimacteric women with skim aging symptoms. Monthly determinations of estrodiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and prolactin (PRL) were done and the monthly clinical monitoring was supplemented by measurements of skin hydration by corneometry and profilometry. In 10 patients, skin biopsies were taken for immunohistochemical determination of collagen types I and III. RESULTS. After treatment for 6 months, elasticity and firmness of the skin had markedly improved and the wrinkle depth and pore sizes had decreased by 61 to 100% in both groups. Furthermore, skin moisture had increased and the measurement of wrinkles using skin profilometry, revealed significant, or even highly significant, decreases of wrinkle depth in the estradiol and the estriol groups, respectively. On immunohistochemistry, significant increases of Type III collagen labeling were combined with increased numbers of collagen fibers at the end of the treatment period. As to hormone levels, only those of PRL had increased significantly and no systemic hormonal side effects were noted.

When applied to facial skin, does estrogen ointment have systemic effects?

Kainz C, Gitsch G, Stani J, Breitenecker G, Binder M, Schmidt JB.

2nd Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Vienna, School of Medicine, Austria.

We examined cytological vaginal smears of 17 women before and after three months of dermal estrogen, applied to the face for dermatological indications. The mean age was 57.1 +/- 7.6 years (range from 46 to 66). Seven women had estrogenic smears (more than 10% superficial cells) before therapy. Nine women were treated with estradiol ointment and 8 were treated with estriol ointment. Both groups had gynecological examinations including cervical and vaginal smears before and after treatment and also monthly measurements of serum follicle-stimulating hormone, prolactin and estradiol levels. Serum hormone levels and the appearance of vaginal smears showed no significant change during treatment.

PMID: 8215610 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Interplay of IGF-I and 17beta-estradiol at age-specific levels in human sebocytes and fibroblasts in vitro.

Makrantonaki E, Vogel K, Fimmel S, Oeff M, Seltmann H, Zouboulis CC.

Laboratory for Biogerontology, Dermato-Pharmacology and Dermato-Endocrinology, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Charité Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.

In order to obtain greater insights into the molecular mechanisms accompanying hormonal aging the effects of growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), 17beta-estradiol, progesterone and dehydroepiandrosterone were tested as single agents in concentrations corresponding to 20- and 60-year-old females on human SZ95 sebocytes and fibroblasts. Cell proliferation and viability were measured by 4-methylumbelliferyl heptanoate and lactate dehydrogenase microassays, respectively, whereas lipid accumulation was documented via nile red microassay and fluorescence microscopy. mRNA and protein expression were evaluated via real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting or ELISA, accordingly. Our results depict the importance of IGF-I for lipid synthesis in SZ95 sebocyte and demonstrate the lack of 17beta-estradiol, dehydroepiandrosterone and progesterone activity on lipid synthesis and SZ95 sebocyte proliferation suggesting that the action of these hormones in vivo may be implemented through indirect pathways. Fibroblast showed to be more susceptible to 17beta-estradiol treatment, while IGF-I could significantly stimulate fibroblast proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, an interplay between the 17beta-estradiol and IGF-I signaling pathway was documented in both cell types. In conclusion, IGF-I is a key regulator of human skin aging and declining IGF-I levels with age may play a significant role in the reduction of skin surface lipids and thickness.

PMID: 18755261 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Effects and side-effects of progesterone cream on the skin of peri- and postmenopausal women: results from a double-blind, vehicle-controlled, randomized study.

Holzer G, Riegler E, Hönigsmann H, Farokhnia S, Schmidt JB.

Division of Special and Environmental Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

BACKGROUND: For many years topical progesterone has been prescribed by gynaecologists as an antiageing and skin-firming treatment, without any clinical scientific evidence of its effects, tolerability and safety when applied to skin. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the influence of progesterone cream on function and texture of the skin in peri- and postmenopausal women. METHODS: A double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled study was conducted in 40 subjects. Objective methods for measuring skin elasticity, epidermal hydration and skin surface lipids, clinical monitoring and self-assessment, and determination of blood hormone levels (luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, oestrogen and progesterone) were used to determine effects and side-effects of this treatment at four visits over a 16-week period. RESULTS: The study demonstrated a significant (P < or = 0.05) increase of the elastic skin properties in the treatment group, as demonstrated by objective measurements of three skin elasticity parameters, whereas in the control group no such effect was observed. This effect in the treatment group was further paralleled by the results of the clinical monitoring, where the progesterone cream yielded consistent superiority over vehicle in counteracting different signs of ageing in the skin of peri- and postmenopausal women. Clinical monitoring showed a greater reduction in wrinkle counts (29.10% vs. 16.50%) and wrinkle depth (9.72% vs. 7.35%) around the right eye, a greater decrease in nasolabial wrinkle depth (9.72% vs. 6.62%) and a significantly higher (P < 0.05) increase in skin firmness (23.61% vs. 13.24%) in the treatment group. Epidermal hydration and skin surface lipids did not change significantly in either group during the study. Progesterone was well absorbed in the systemic circulation: mean blood levels rose minimally, but statistically significantly (P = 0.001), by 0.53 ng mL(-1). No serious side-effects of the treatment were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate that topical progesterone acts primarily in increasing elasticity and firmness in the skin of peri- and postmenopausal women. These effects in combination with good tolerability make progesterone a possible treatment agent for slowing down the ageing process of female skin after onset of the menopause.

PMID: 16120154 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE

Regulatory roles of sex hormones in cutaneous biology and immunology.

Kanda N, Watanabe S.

Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Teikyo University, 11-1, Kaga-2, Itabashi-Ku, Tokyo 173-8605, Japan. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Recent studies have revealed that sex hormones manifest a variety of biological and immunological effects in the skin. Pregnancy, menstruation and the menopause modulate the natural course of psoriasis, indicating a female hormone-induced regulation of skin inflammation. Estrogen in vitro down-regulates the production of the neutrophil, type 1 T cell and macrophage-attracting chemokines, CXCL8, CXCL10, CCL5, by keratinocytes, and suppresses IL-12 production and antigen-presenting capacity while enhancing anti-inflammatory IL-10 production by dendritic cells. These data indicate that estrogen may attenuate inflammation in psoriatic lesions. Estrogen, alone or together with progesterone, prevents or reverses skin atrophy, dryness and wrinkles associated with chronological or photo-aging. Estrogen and progesterone stimulate proliferation of keratinocytes while estrogen suppresses apoptosis and thus prevents epidermal atrophy. Estrogen also enhances collagen synthesis, and estrogen and progesterone suppress collagenolysis by reducing matrix metalloproteinase activity in fibroblasts, thereby maintaining skin thickness. Estrogen maintains skin moisture by increasing acid mucopolysaccharide or hyaluronic acid levels in the dermis. Progesterone increases sebum secretion. Estrogen accelerates cutaneous wound healing stimulating NGF production in macrophages, GM-CSF production in keratinocytes and bFGF and TGF-beta1 production in fibroblasts, leading to the enhancement of wound re-innervation, re-epithelialization and granulation tissue formation. In contrast, androgens prolong inflammation, reduce deposition of extracellular matrix in wounds, and reduce the rate of wound healing. Estrogen enhances VEGF production in macrophages, an effect that is antagonized by androgens and which may be related to the development of granuloma pyogenicum during pregnancy. These regulatory effects of sex steroids may be manipulated as therapeutic or prophylactic measures in psoriasis, aging, chronic wounds or granuloma pyogenicum.

PMID: 15795118 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE

Transdermal delivery of amino acids and antioxidants enhance collagen synthesis: in vivo and in vitro studies.

Han B, Nimni ME.

Department of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, and Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90032, USA.

One of the most visible changes associated with the aging process in humans relates to a progressive thinning of the skin. This results from a decline in both collagen and glycosaminoglycans, as well as from changes in their chemical structure and 3-dimentional organization. Transdermal administration of antioxidants, a -lipoic acid (LA) (0.5%) and proanthocyanidin PA) (0.3%) in a standard cosmetic vehicle base formulation supplemented with 2% benzyl alcohol as a penetration enhancer, a mixture of essential amino acids (0.2%), significantly enhanced collagen synthesis and deposition. The amino acid mixture was designed to mimic serum concentrations, with supplemental methionine added to provide additional sulfur. The histological appearance of the skin of mature female rats treated in this fashion reflected the increased deposition of collagen in the dermis as well as a thickened epidermal layer. The changes do not seem to be mediated by TGF- ss or PDGF, two growth factors known to stimulate collagen synthesis. At lower concentrations, a -lipoic acid did not affect cell proliferation but at higher doses, while it had an inhibitory effect on (3)H-thimidine uptake, it did enhance collagen production. Pronanthocyanidin did not affect cell proliferation but significantly increased collagen synthesis by cultured fibroblasts.

PMID: 16546829 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind study on the clinical efficacy of a cream containing alpha-lipoic acid related to photoageing of facial skin.

Beitner H.

Department of Dermatology, Karolinska Hospital, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

BACKGROUND: alpha-lipoic acid (LA) or the reduced form dihydrolipoate (DHLA) is a potent scavenger with anti-inflammatory properties. Previous uncontrolled studies with topical treatment with 5% LA-containing creams indicate a beneficial effect on photoageing skin. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a cream containing 5% LA showed any advantages concerning a number of the criteria associated with ageing of the facial skin, compared with an identical cream lacking LA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-three women, mean age 54.4 years, were included in this controlled study. After randomization half the face was treated twice daily for 12 weeks with the LA cream and the other half with the control cream. The following methods of assessment were used: self-evaluation by the test subjects, clinical evaluation, photographic evaluation and laser profilometry. Profilometry was performed before the start of treatment and at the end. RESULTS: All four methods of assessment showed a statistically significant improvement on the LA-treated half of the face. Laser profilometry, the most objective method used, showed an average decrease in skin roughness of 50.8% (44.9-54.0) on the LA-treated side, compared with 40.7% (32.4-48.7) on the placebo-treated half of the face P < 0.001 (Wilcoxon matched pairs test). CONCLUSIONS: It is indicated that 12 weeks of treatment with a cream containing LA improves clinical characteristics related to photoageing of facial skin.

PMID: 14616378 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE

Low molecular weight antioxidants and their role in skin ageing.

Podda M, Grundmann-Kollmann M.

Department of Dermatology, J. W. Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

There is increasing evidence that reactive oxygen species play a pivotal role in the process of ageing. The skin, as the outermost barrier of the body, is exposed to various exogenous sources of oxidative stress, in particular UV-irradiation. These are believed to be responsible for the extrinsic type of skin ageing, termed photo-ageing. It therefore seems reasonable to try to increase levels of protective low molecular weight antioxidants through a diet rich in fruits and vegetables or by direct topical application. Indeed, various in vitro and animal studies have proved that low molecular weight antioxidants, especially vitamins C and E, ascorbate and tocopherol, as well as lipoic acid, exert protective effects against oxidative stress. However, controlled long-term studies on the efficacy of low molecular weight antioxidants in the prevention or treatment of skin ageing in humans are still lacking.

PMID: 11696061 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE

Topical vitamins.

Burgess C.

The Center for Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Washington, DC, USA. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Vitamins are a natural constituent of human skin and are part of a system of antioxidants that protect the skin from oxidative stress. There has been an increased interest in the use of natural antioxidants such as vitamins to help restore dermal antioxidant activity. Vitamins A, C, E, and B3 have been shown to have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but to achieve optimal effectiveness, products must be delivered in appropriate formulations. Products containing alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), retinol (vitamin A), and niacinamide (vitamin B3), are effective for the treatment of photoaging. These compounds have also shown effectiveness in the treatment of inflammatory dermatoses, acne, and pigmentation disorders and wound healing. There is emerging evidence that combinations of vitamins have additive effects that provide enhanced efficacy compared with individual compounds.

PMID: 18681152 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Improvement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol).

Kafi R, Kwak HS, Schumacher WE, Cho S, Hanft VN, Hamilton TA, King AL, Neal JD, Varani J, Fisher GJ, Voorhees JJ, Kang S.

Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of topical retinol (vitamin A) in improving the clinical signs of naturally aged skin. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled, left and right arm comparison study. SETTING: Academic referral center. PATIENTS: The study population comprised 36 elderly subjects (mean age, 87 years), residing in 2 senior citizen facilities. INTERVENTION: Topical 0.4% retinol lotion or its vehicle was applied at each visit by study personnel to either the right or the left arm, up to 3 times a week for 24 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical assessment using a semiquantitative scale (0, none; 9, most severe) and biochemical measurements from skin biopsy specimens obtained from treated areas. RESULTS: After 24 weeks, an intent-to-treat analysis using the last-observation-carried-forward method revealed that there were significant differences between retinol-treated and vehicle-treated skin for changes in fine wrinkling scores (-1.64 [95% CI, -2.06 to -1.22] vs -0.08 [95% CI, -0.17 to 0.01]; P<.001). As measured in a subgroup, retinol treatment significantly increased glycosaminoglycan expression (P = .02 [n = 6]) and procollagen I immunostaining (P = .049 [n = 4]) compared with vehicle. CONCLUSIONS: Topical retinol improves fine wrinkles associated with natural aging. Significant induction of glycosaminoglycan, which is known to retain substantial water, and increased collagen production are most likely responsible for wrinkle effacement. With greater skin matrix synthesis, retinol-treated aged skin is more likely to withstand skin injury and ulcer formation along with improved appearance.

PMID: 17515510 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Proposed mechanisms of action for retinoid derivatives in the treatment of skin aging.

Sorg O, Kuenzli S, Kaya G, Saurat JH.

Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland.

Skin aging (intrinsic aging) and photoaging (extrinsic aging) involve a similar process that leads to the typical creased appearance of the skin, with the progressive loss of its physical and biologic properties. Photoaging is a premature skin aging caused by long-term exposure to the ultraviolet B radiations of the sun, and is more frequently associated to skin cancer than intrinsic aging. Retinoids are natural and synthetic vitamin A derivatives. They are lipophilic molecules and penetrate the epidermis easily. Their biologically active forms can modulate gene expression by binding to nuclear receptors and then to specific DNA sequences. Because of their ability to modulate genes involved in cellular differentiation and proliferation, they appear as good candidates to treat and prevent photoaging. Hyaluronate and collagen, two major constituents of the dermis, are progressively decreased and altered during aging. Various retinoids were shown to increase their synthesis and concentration in the skin and reduce their rate of degradation. Furthermore, retinoids share a common chemical structure containing several conjugated double bonds that enable them to trap free radicals and absorb UV radiations from the sun, thereby protecting cellular targets such as DNA, lipid membranes, or proteins by preventing direct photochemical damage or UV-induced oxidative stress. Therefore, retinoids may be beneficial in treating skin aging and photoaging because of their biologic, chemical, and physical properties, which act at several levels.

PMID: 17168870 [PubMed - in process]

Protective effects of topical antioxidants in humans.

Dreher F, Maibach H.

Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, Calif., USA.

Human studies have convincingly demonstrated pronounced photoprotective effects of 'natural' and synthetic antioxidants when applied topically before UVR exposure. Particularly with respect to UVB-induced skin damage such as erythema formation, the photoprotective effects of antioxidants are significant when applied in distinct mixtures in appropriate vehicles. Topical application of such combinations may result in a sustained antioxidant capacity of the skin, possibly due to antioxidant synergisms. And, since UVA-induced skin alterations are believed to be largely determined by oxidative processes [26], topical administration of antioxidants might be particularly promising [27, 28]. In fact, topical application of antioxidants or antioxidant mixtures resulted in a remarkable increase in the minimal dose to induce immediate pigment darkening after UVA exposure [18, 23] and diminished the severity of UVA-induced photodermatoses [22] in humans. In conclusion, regular application of skin care products containing antioxidants may be of the utmost benefit in efficiently preparing our skin against exogenous oxidative stressors occurring during daily life. Furthermore, sunscreening agents may also benefit from combination with antioxidants resulting in increased safety and efficacy of such photoprotective products [11, 29].

PMID: 11225195 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­The antioxidant network of the stratum corneum.

Thiele JJ, Schroeter C, Hsieh SN, Podda M, Packer L.

Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Many studies have demonstrated beneficial health effects of topical antioxidant application; however, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. To better understand the protective mechanism of oxogenous anti-oxidants, it is important to clarify the physiological distribution, activity and regulation of antioxidants. Also, the generation of ROS by the resident and transient microbial flora and their interaction with cutaneous antioxidants appears to be of relevance for the redox properties of skin. Our studies have demonstrated that alpha-tocopherol is, relative to the respective levels in the epidermis, the major antioxidant in the human SC, that alpha-tocopherol depletion is a very early and sensitive biomarker of environmentally induced oxidation and that a physiological mechanism exists to transport alpha-tocopherol to the skin surface via sebaceous gland secretion. Furthermore, there is conclusive evidence that the introduction of carbonyl groups into human SC keratins is inducible by oxidants and that the levels of protein oxidation increase towards outer SC layers. The demonstration of specific redox gradients within the human SC may contribute to a better understanding of the complex biochemical processes of keratinization and desquamation. Taken together, the presented data suggest that, under conditions of environmentally challenged skin or during prooxidative dermatological treatment, topical and/or systemic application of antioxidants could support physiological mechanisms to maintain or restore a healthy skin barrier. Growing experimental evidence should lead to the development of more powerful pharmaceutical and cosmetic strategies involving antioxidant formulations to prevent UV-induced carcinogenesis and photoaging as well as to modulate desquamatory skin disorders.

PMID: 11225199 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE

Age-dependent increase of collagenase expression can be reduced by alpha-tocopherol via protein kinase C inhibition.

Ricciarelli R, Maroni P, Ozer N, Zingg JM, Azzi A.

Institut für Biochemie und Molekularbiologie, Universität Bern, Switzerland.

Total protein kinase C (PKC) activity in human skin fibroblasts increases during in vivo aging as a function of the donor's age. During in vitro aging protein kinase C activity is also increased, as a function of cell passage number. Using PKC isoform specific antibodies, we demonstrate that the increase in total PKC activity is mainly due to the PKC a isoform. PKC alpha protein expression increased up to 8 fold during in vivo aging. Collagenase (MMP-1) gene transcription and protein expression also increased with age, concomitant with the increase in protein kinase C alpha. Furthermore, alpha-tocopherol, which inhibits protein kinase C activity, is able to diminish collagenase gene transcription without altering the level of its natural inhibitor, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase, TIMP-1. We propose that an aging program leads to increased protein kinase C alpha expression and activity. This event would induce collagenase overexpression followed by increased collagen degradation. Our in vitro experiments with skin fibroblasts suggest that alpha-tocopherol may protect against skin aging by decreasing the level of collagenase expression, which is induced by environmental insults and by aging.

PMID: 10515576 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Effectiveness of antioxidants (vitamin C and E) with and without sunscreens as topical photoprotectants.

Darr D, Dunston S, Faust H, Pinnell S.

North Carolina Biotechnology Center, Raleigh, N.C., USA.

Considerable interest has been recently generated concerning the use of natural compounds, anti-oxidants in particular, in photoprotection. Two of the best known anti-oxidants are vitamins C and E, both of which have been shown to be somewhat effective in different models of photodamage. Very little has been reported, however, on the effectiveness of a combination of the two (known to be biologically the more relevant situation); nor have there been detailed studies on the ability of these antioxidants to augment commercial sunscreen protection against UV damage. We report that (in swine skin) vitamin C is capable of additive protection against acute UVB damage (sunburn cell formation) when combined with a UVB sunscreen. A combination of both vitamins E and C provided very good protection from a UVB insult, the bulk of the protection attributable to vitamin E. However, vitamin C is significantly better than vitamin E at protecting against a UVA-mediated phototoxic insult in this animal model, while the combination is only slightly more effective than vitamin C alone. When vitamin C or a combination of vitamin C and E is formulated with a commercial UVA sunscreen (oxybenzone), an apparently greater than additive protection is noted against the phototoxic damage. These results confirm the utility of anti-oxidants as photoprotectants but suggest the importance of combining the compounds with known sunscreens to maximize photoprotection.

PMID: 8869680 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

The role of vitamin E in normal and damaged skin.

Nachbar F, Korting HC.

Dermatologische Klinik und Poliklinik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München, Germany.

The generation of free oxygen radicals is believed to play an important pathogenic role in the development of various disorders. More than other tissues, the skin is exposed to numerous environmental chemical and physical agents such as ultraviolet light causing oxidative stress. In the skin this results in several short- and long-term adverse effects such as erythema, edema, skin thickening, wrinkling, and an increased incidence of skin cancer or precursor lesions. However, accelerated cutaneous aging under the influence of ultraviolet light, usually termed photoaging, is only one of the harmful effects of continual oxygen radical production in the skin. Others include cutaneous inflammation, autoimmunological processes, keratinization disturbances, and vasculitis. Vitamin E is the major naturally occurring lipid-soluble non-enzymatic antioxidant protecting skin from the adverse effects of oxidative stress including photoaging. Its chemistry and its physiological function as a major antioxidative and anti-inflammatory agent, in particular with respect to its photoprotective, antiphotoaging properties, are described by summarizing animal studies, in vivo tests on human skin and biochemical in vitro investigations. The possible therapeutic use in different cutaneous disorders, and pharmacological and toxicological aspects are discussed. Many studies document that vitamin E occupies a central position as a highly efficient antioxidant, thereby providing possibilities to decrease the frequency and severity of pathological events in the skin. For this purpose increased efforts in developing appropriate systemic and local pharmacological preparations of vitamin E are required.

PMID: 7633944 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Evidence for the photoprotective effects of vitamin E.

Fryer MJ.

Department of Biology, University of Essex, Colchester, UK.

The antioxidant vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) may protect both animal and plant cell membranes from light-induced damage. The various biochemical and biophysical modes of protection are considered. An examination is made of the evidence that vitamin E plays an important prophylactic role against a number of serious light-induced diseases and conditions of the eye (cataractogenesis and retinal photodeterioration) and skin (erythrocyte photohemolysis, photoerythema, photoaging and photocarcinogenesis) that are mediated by photooxidative damage to cell membranes.

PMID: 8415922 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

The effect of reactive oxygen species on the biosynthesis of collagen and glycosaminoglycans in cultured human dermal fibroblasts.

Tanaka H, Okada T, Konishi H, Tsuji T.

Biochemical Research Institute, Nippon Menard Cosmetic Co. Ltd., Gifu, Japan.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possibility that the biological changes observed in connective tissue matrix components of photoaging skin may be induced by an alteration of biosynthesis in fibroblasts damaged by reactive oxygen species (ROS). We investigated the effect of ROS induced by xanthine and the xanthine oxidase system on the biosynthesis of connective tissue matrix components, collagen and glucosaminoglycans (GAGs) in cultured human dermal fibroblasts. ROS decreased collagen production and increased GAGs synthesis. Interestingly, these changes were consistent with the biological alterations of connective tissue matrix components observed in photoaging skin. Moreover, catalase and alpha-tocopherol completely prevented the ROS-induced alterations of collagen and GAGs biosynthesis, whereas superoxide dismutase had no effect on the ROS-induced changes. These results suggest that ROS may be one of the factors which cause the biological changes of connective tissue matrix components observed in photoaging skin.

PMID: 8215584 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Free radicals and aging of the skin.

Emerit I.

Free Radical Research Group, University of Paris VI, France.

Cutaneous aging is the result of genetically determined or intrinsic aging superimposed by degenerative changes due to actinic irradiation, also called photoaging. The manifestations of cutaneous aging, as it relates to the perception of age, is caused by ultraviolet light, in particular in those parts of the body exposed daily to solar radiation. Free radical generation in the skin by UV light and from other sources, such as cellular infiltrations or the xanthine oxidase reaction, may be detected by direct and indirect methods. The decrease in antioxidant enzymes and small molecular weight antioxidants such as glutathione, vitamin E and ubiquinone upon exposure to UV light is an indication that the pro-antioxidant balance can be overwhelmed by acute or chronic photo-oxidative stress. Antioxidant supplementation is therefore a means for prevention or at least retardation of premature cutaneous aging.

PMID: 1450595 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

More References to be added soon.