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Science

Study Title
Molecular basis of retinol anti-aging properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Publication
International Journal of Cosmetic Science
Author(s)

Yuan Shao, Tianyuan He, Gary J. Fisher, John J. Voorhees, and Taihao Quan

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Retinoic acid has been shown to improve the aged-appearing skin. However, less is known about the anti-aging effects of retinol (ROL, vitamin A), a precursor of retinoic acid, in aged human skin in vivo. This study aimed to investigate the molecular basis of retinol anti-aging properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo.

METHODS
Sun-protected buttock skin (76±6 years old, n=12) was topically treated with 0.4% ROL and its vehicle for seven days. The effects of topical ROL on skin epidermis and dermis were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, Northern analysis, real-time RT-PCR, and Western analysis. Collagen fibrils nanoscale structure and surface topology were analysed by atomic force microscopy.

RESULTS
Topical ROL shows remarkable anti-aging effects through three major types of skin cells: epidermal keratinocytes, dermal endothelial cells and fibroblasts. Topical ROL significantly increased epidermal thickness by stimulating keratinocytes proliferation and upregulation of c-Jun transcription factor. In addition to epidermal changes, topical ROL significantly improved dermal extracellular matrix (ECM) microenvironment; increasing dermal vascularity by stimulating endothelial cells proliferation and ECM production (type I collagen, fibronectin, and elastin) by activating dermal fibroblasts. Topical ROL also stimulates TGF-β/CTGF pathway, the major regulator of ECM homeostasis, and thus enriched the deposition of ECM in aged human skin in vivo. 0.4% topical ROL achieved similar results as seen with topical retinoic acid, the biologically active form of ROL, without causing noticeable signs of retinoid side effects.

CONCLUSION
0.4% topical ROL shows remarkable anti-aging effects through improvement of the homeostasis of epidermis and dermis by stimulating the proliferation of keratinocytes and endothelial cells, and activating dermal fibroblasts. These data provide evidence that 0.4% topical ROL is a promising and safe treatment to improve naturally aged human skin.

Date
July 4, 2016
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