In vivo evaluation of photoprotection against chronic ultraviolet-A irradiation by a new sunscreen Mexoryl SX.

Abstract

In a previous study on the hairless mouse it was shown that sub-erythemal doses of pure UV-A enhanced the numerous changes normally observed during chronological aging. A new sunscreen (a bis-benzylidene campho sulfonic acid derivative) has been synthesized in our research laboratory (lambda max: 345 nm, epsilon: 47,000). Its photoprotective properties against UV-A induced damages were assessed in our mouse model. Three month old albino hairless mice were exposed for 1 y to suberythemal doses (35 J/cm2) of UV-A obtained from a xenon source filtered through a WG 345 filter. One group of animals was exposed untreated, the other received a formulation containing 5% of the sunscreen prior to irradiation. At the end of the study the cutaneous properties of protected mice were compared to those of unprotected animals and to 3 and 15 month old unirradiated controls. We found that the visible changes induced by UV-A irradiation were mainly sagging and wrinkling. Histological and electron microscopic alterations consisted of hyperkeratosis, increased density of elastic fibers with alteration of fiber orientation and increased glycosaminoglycan deposits. Biochemical changes consisted of decreases in total collagen and collagen hydroxylation and increases in both collagen III/I + III ratio and fibronectin biosynthesis. All these changes were reduced or abolished by the sunscreen.