The in vivo effect of L-arginine on skin elasticity in mice

Ádria Do Prado Barros De Souza,Maria De Fátima Borin,Anamélia Lonrezetti Bocca,Rivadávio Fernandes Batista De Amorim,Marina Miranda Rocha De Oliveira,Rafael Rocha De Andrade

doi:10.1590/s2175-97902017000300045

Ádria Do Prado Barros De Souza, Maria De Fátima Borin + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s2175-97902017000300045

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Abstract

The human skin aging process is a complex mechanism that can be induced both by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Observations include a decrease in the biosynthetic and proliferative capacity of cells, increased expression of matrix metalloproteinases, reduction in collagen type I expression, and the progressive disappearance of elastic tissue in the papillary dermis. L-arginine, the substrate of nitric oxide synthesis, is involved in angiogenesis and cell proliferation, as well as an indirect precursor of collagen synthesis via the proline pathway. The aim of this study was to examine the tensile strength, histology, and immunohistochemistry of female and male mice skin receiving different concentrations of topically applied L-arginine, in order to evaluate the possibility of using L-arginine as an active cosmetic ingredient in antiaging products. The results suggest that the application of L-arginine improves the mechanical resistance of skin from older female mice (20 weeks old) and promotes the formation of a larger amount of collagen and elastic fibers in the skin when applied at a concentration of 15%.

Highlights

Like all organs, skin undergoes chronological aging, but unlike others, it is in direct contact with the environment, and further ages as a result of environmental damage (Fisher et al, 2002; Pageon et al, 2007; Hwang, Yi, Choi, 2011; Levakov et al, 2012)
Collagen molecules are initially synthesized as a precursor, procollagen, that is posttranslationally hydroxylated by prolyl hydroxylase, generating hydroxyproline residues that are required for the formation of collagen
Skin samples were evaluated from mice that were treated with different concentrations of L-arginine suspended in glycerol, and with glycerol only (Glyc.) or that received no treatment (CTRL) to determine the skin’s resistance to mechanical force using the VersaTest® equipment coupled to a dynamometer (Figure 1 and 2)

Summary

Introduction

Skin undergoes chronological aging, but unlike others, it is in direct contact with the environment, and further ages as a result of environmental damage (Fisher et al, 2002; Pageon et al, 2007; Hwang, Yi, Choi, 2011; Levakov et al, 2012). Sun exposure is considered the most harmful to skin (Naylor, Watson, Sherratt, 2011; Jenkins, 2002; Baumann, 2007; Levakov et al, 2012; El-Domyati, Medhat, 2015; Kammeyer, Luiten, 2015). In intrinsic or chronological aging, changes in the skin are similar to those that occur in most of the internal organs. Collagen is the most abundant extracellular component in skin that imparts the dermis tensile properties (Naylor, Watson, Sherratt, 2011; Jenkins, 2002). Hydroxyproline and proline residues correspond to 23% of the collagen molecule (Bellon et al, 1987; Barbul, 2008; Wu et al, 2011; Pokidysheva et al, 2013).

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