Changes in human skin composition due to intrinsic aging: a histologic and morphometric study

Marta Arnal‑Forné1  · Tamara Molina‑García2  · María Ortega2  · Víctor Marcos‑Garcés2,3 · Pilar Molina4  · Antonio Ferrández‑Izquierdo1,2,5 · Pilar Sepulveda1,6,7 · Vicente Bodí2,3,6,8 · César Ríos‑Navarro1,2,6 · Amparo Ruiz‑Saurí1,2,6

Accepted: 10 June 2024 / Published online: 2 July 2024

© The Author(s) 2024

Abstract

Skin represents the main barrier against the external environment, but also plays a role in human relations, as one of the prime determinants of beauty, resulting in a high consumer demand for skincare-related pharmaceutical products. Given the importance of skin aging in both medical and social spheres, the present research aims to characterize microscopic changes in human skin composition due to intrinsic aging (as opposed to aging infuenced by external factors) via histological analysis of a photoprotected body region. Samples from 25 autopsies were taken from the periumbilical area and classifed into four age groups: group 1 (0–12 years), group 2 (13–25 years), group 3 (26–54 years), and group 4 (≥55 years). Diferent traditional histological (hematoxylin–eosin, Masson’s trichrome, orcein, toluidine, Alcian blue, and Feulgen reaction) and immunohistochemical (CK20, CD1a, Ki67, and CD31) stains were performed. A total of 1879 images photographed with a Leica DM3000 optical microscope were morphometrically analyzed using Image ProPlus 7.0 for further statistical analysis with GraphPad 9.0. Our results showed a reduction in epidermis thickness, interdigitation and mitotic indexes, while melanocyte count was raised. Papillary but not reticular dermis showed increased thickness with aging. Specifcally, in the papillary layer mast cells and glycosaminoglycans were expanded, whereas the reticular dermis displayed a diminution in glycosaminoglycans and elastic fbers. Moreover, total cellularity and vascularization of both dermises were diminished with aging. This morphometric analysis of photoprotected areas reveals that intrinsic aging signifcantly infuences human skin composition. This study paves the way for further research into the molecular basis underpinning these alterations, and into potential antiaging strategies.

Keywords Skin aging · Intrinsic aging · Morphometric analysis · Human biopsies

César Ríos-Navarro

该Email地址已收到反垃圾邮件插件保护。要显示它您需要在浏览器中启用JavaScript。

* Amparo Ruiz-Saurí 该Email地址已收到反垃圾邮件插件保护。要显示它您需要在浏览器中启用JavaScript。; 该Email地址已收到反垃圾邮件插件保护。要显示它您需要在浏览器中启用JavaScript。

1 Department of Pathology, University of Valencia, Avda. Blasco Ibáñez 15. 46010, Valencia, Spain

2 Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, Avda. Menéndez Pelayo 4acc,

46010 Valencia, Spain

3 Cardiology Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Valencia, Spain

4 Department of Pathology, Instituto de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses, Valencia, Spain

5 Anatomic Pathology Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Valencia, Spain

6 Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER)-CV, Madrid, Spain

7 Regenerative Medicine and Heart Transplantation Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain

8 Department of Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain

An evaluation of the effectiveness of ‘ULTRACOL 200′ in enhancing nasolabial fold wrinkles through cutaneous repair

Nguyen Ngan Giang1,2 Hyun Ji Kim3 Pham Ngoc Chien2,3 Han Jin Kwon4 Jung Ryul Ham4 Won Ku Lee4 Yeon Ju Gu4 Shou Yi Zhou2,5 Xin Rui Zhang2,5 Sun Young Nam2 Chan Yeong Heo1,2,3,5

1 Department of Medical Device Development, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea

2 Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, South Korea

3 Korea Institute of Nonclinical Study, H&Bio. co. Ltd., Seongnam, Republic of Korea

4 UltraV Co., Ltd. R&D Center, Seoul, South Korea

5 Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Correspondence Sun Young Nam and Chan Yeong Heo, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.

Email: 该Email地址已收到反垃圾邮件插件保护。要显示它您需要在浏览器中启用JavaScript。 and 该Email地址已收到反垃圾邮件插件保护。要显示它您需要在浏览器中启用JavaScript。

Abstract

Background: Injectable filler, a nonsurgical beauty method, has gained popularity in rejuvenating sagging skin. In this study, polydioxanone (PDO) was utilized as the main component of the ULTRACOL200 filler that helps stimulate collagenesis and provide skin radiant effects. The study aimed to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of ULTRACOL200 with other commercialized products in visually improving dermatological problems.

Methods: Herein, 31 participants aged between 20 and 59 years were enrolled in the study. 1 mL of the testing product, as well as the quantity for the compared groups was injected into each participants face side individually. Subsequently, skin texture and sunken volume of skin were measured using ANTERA 3D CS imaging technology at three periods: before the application, 4 weeks after the initial application, and 4 weeks after the 2nd application of ULTRACOL200.

Results: The final results of skin texture and wrinkle volume evaluation consistently demonstrated significant enhancement. Consequently, subjective questionnaires were provided to the participants to evaluate the efficacy of the testing product, illustrating satisfactory responses after the twice applications.

Conclusion: The investigation has contributed substantially to the comprehension of a PDO-based filler (ULTRACOL200) for skin enhancement and provided profound insight for future clinical trials.

KEYWORDS collagen formation, filler, polydioxanone, skin enhancement, Ultracol200

异体表皮干细胞对裸鼠全层皮肤缺损创面 移植异体全厚皮成活的影响及其机制

黄韶斌 1 胡志成 1 张逸 2 唐冰 1 王鹏 1 徐海琳 1 王志勇 1 董云先 1 程璞 1 荣燕超 1 吴军 3 朱家源 1

1 中山大学附属第一医院烧伤科，广州 510080；

2 南通大学附属医院烧伤整形外科 226001；3 深圳大学第一附属医院烧伤整形科 518037 通信作者：朱家源，Email：该Email地址已收到反垃圾邮件插件保护。要显示它您需要在浏览器中启用JavaScript。

Rat epidermal stem cells promote the angiogenesis of full-thickness wounds

Shaobin Huang1,2† , Zhicheng Hu1† , Peng Wang1 , Yi Zhang3 , Xiaoling Cao1 , Yunxian Dong1 , Pu Cheng1 , Hailin Xu1 ,

Wenkai Zhu4 , Bing Tang1* and Jiayuan Zhu1*

Abstract

Background: Full-thickness wounds severely affect patients’ life quality and become challenging problems for clinicians. Stem cells have great prospects in the treatment of wounds. Our previous study confirmed that autologous basal cell suspension could promote wound healing, and epidermal stem cells (ESCs) were detected in the basal cell suspension. Herein, this study aimed to explore the effect of ESCs on full-thickness wounds.

Methods: Rat ESCs were isolated and expanded and then were transfected with lentivirus to stably express enhanced green fluorescent protein. The experimental rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: in the ESC group, the rat ESCs were sprayed on the full-thickness wounds of rats; in the control group, phosphate-buffered saline was sprayed the on the wounds. Next, wound healing and neovascularization were evaluated. Colonization, division, and differentiation of ESCs on the wound were analyzed by immunofluorescence.

Results: The rat ESCs colonized, divided, and proliferated in the wound. Additionally, rat ESCs around blood vessels differentiated into vascular endothelial cells and formed a lumen-like structure. Compared with the control group, the ESC group showed enhanced angiogenesis and accelerated wound healing.

Conclusions: Our study confirmed that rat ESCs are safe and effective for treating full-thickness wounds. Additionally, under certain conditions, ESCs can differentiate into vascular endothelial cells to promote angiogenesis and wound healing.

Keywords: ESCs, Cell differentiation, Angiogenesis, Full-thickness wounds

Novel Cosmetic Ingredient CS-AA Polyion Complex and Skin Moisturizing Effect

Hyungjoon Jeon Yong Won Shin Jong Gu Won Nojin Park Sang-Wook Park Nam Seo Son Mi-Sun Kim

LG Household & Health Care (LG H&H), LG Science Park R&D Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Correspondence: Hyungjoon Jeon (该Email地址已收到反垃圾邮件插件保护。要显示它您需要在浏览器中启用JavaScript。) Mi-Sun Kim (该Email地址已收到反垃圾邮件插件保护。要显示它您需要在浏览器中启用JavaScript。)

Received: 29 January 2024

Revised: 21 June 2024

Accepted: 19 July 2024

Keywords: arginine | chondroitin sulfate | glutamine | skin hydration | TEWL | water-holding capacity

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The study explored the enhanced skin moisturizing capabilities and moisture retention effects achieved by forming a polyion complex using sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG), specifically chondroitin sulfate (CS), and amino acids (AA) such as glutamine (Q) and arginine (R). The overall hydration effect of this CS-AA complex was examined.

Methods: After analyzing the CS-AA polyion complex structure using spectroscopic methods, the ex vivo moisture retention ability was assessed under dry conditions using porcine skin samples. Additionally, the efficacy of the CS-AA polyion complex in reducing transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and improving skin hydration was evaluated on human subjects using a digital evaporimeter and a corneometer, respectively.

Results: Validating a systematic reduction in particle size, the following order was observed: CS > CS/AA simple mixture > CSAA complex based on dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. Furthermore, observations revealed that the CS-AA complex exhibits negligible surface charge. Additionally, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis demonstrated a distinct peak shift in the complex, confirming the successful formation of the CS-AA complex. Subsequently, the water-holding effect through porcine skin was assessed, revealing a notable improvement in moisture retention (weight loss) for the CS-Q complex: 40.6% (1 h), 20.5% (2 h), and 18.7% (4 h) compared to glycerin. Similarly, the CS-R complex demonstrated enhancements of 50.2% (1 h), 37.5% (2 h), and 33% (4 h) compared to glycerin. Furthermore, TEWL improvement efficacy on human skin demonstrated approximately 25% improvement for both the CS-Q complex and CS-R complex, surpassing the modest 12.5% and 18% improvements witnessed with water and glycerin applications, respectively. Finally, employing a corneometer, hydration changes in the skin were monitored over 4 weeks. Although CS alone exhibited nominal alterations, the CS-Q complex and CS-R complex showed a significant increase in moisture levels after 4 weeks of application.

Conclusion: In this study, polyion complexes were successfully formed between CS, a sulfated GAG, and AA. Comparisons with glycerin, a well-known moisturizing agent, confirmed that the CS-AA complex exhibits superior moisturizing effects in various aspects. These findings suggest that the CS-AA complex is a more effective ingredient than CS or AA alone in terms of efficacy.

Comprehensive evaluation of the efficacy and safety of a new multi-component anti-aging topical eye cream

Fan Yang1 Xinyuan Zhang2 Hua Wang1 Miao Guo1 Jinlong Zhang1 Xuejiao Feng3 Jiayi Yu3 Jiahui Yang3 Jinjin Zhu4 Yiyu Wang3

1 Research & Development Center, Mageline Biology Tech Co., Ltd, Wuhan, Hubei, China

2 Shanghai Skinshield Clinical Testing and Technological Research Ltd., Shanghai, China

3 Department of Dermatology, Air Force Medical Center, PLA, Beijing, China

4 Department of Dermatology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, China

Correspondence

Jinjin Zhu, Department of Dermatology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, 430022, China.

Email: 该Email地址已收到反垃圾邮件插件保护。要显示它您需要在浏览器中启用JavaScript。

Yiyu Wang, Department of Dermatology, Air Force Medical Center, PLA, Beijing, China.

Email: 该Email地址已收到反垃圾邮件插件保护。要显示它您需要在浏览器中启用JavaScript。

Abstract

Background: The delicate periorbital region is susceptible to skin dehydration, wrinkles, and loss of elasticity. Thus, targeted and effective anti-aging interventions are necessary for the periorbital area.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new anti-aging eye cream formulated with the active complex (Yeast/rice fermentation filtrate, N-acetylneuraminic acid, palmityl tripeptide-1, and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7).

Methods: The cell viability and expressions of key extracellular matrix (ECM) components of the active complex were evaluated using a human skin fibroblast model. In the 12-week clinical trial, skin hydration, elasticity, facial photographs, and collagen density following eye cream application were assessed using Corneometer, Cutometer, VISIA, and ultrasound device, respectively. Dermatologists and participants evaluated clinical efficacy and safety at baseline, and after 4, 8, and 12 weeks.

Results: PCR and immunofluorescent analyses revealed that the active complex significantly stimulated fibroblast proliferation (p < 0.05) and markedly promote the synthesis of collagen and elastin. Clinical findings exhibited a substantial enhancement in skin hydration (28.12%), elasticity (18.81%), and collagen production (54.99%) following 12 weeks of eye cream application. Dermatological evaluations and participants’ assessments reported a significant improvement in skin moisture, roughness, elasticity, as well as fine lines and wrinkles by week 8.

Conclusion: The new anti-aging eye cream, enriched with the active complex, demonstrates comprehensive rejuvenating effects, effectively addressing aging concerns in the periorbital area, coupled with a high safety profile.

KEYWORDS anti-aging, collagen, elastin, extracellular matrix, eye cream, wrinkle

This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made.

© 2024 The Author(s). Skin Research and Technology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.