Prevention Of Skin Aging Research Articles

Promising Effects of Novel Supplement Formulas in Preventing Skin Aging in 3D Human Keratinocytes.

Dietary intervention is considered a safe preventive strategy to slow down aging. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of a commercially available supplement and six simpler formulations against DNA damage in 3D human keratinocytes. The ingredients used are well known and were combined into various formulations to test their potential anti-aging properties. Firstly, we determined the formulations' safe concentration by evaluating cytotoxicity and cell viability through spectrophotometric assays. We then examined the presence of tumor p53 binding protein 1 and phosphorylated histone H2AX foci, which are markers of genotoxicity. The foci count revealed that a 24-h treatment with the supplement did not induce DNA damage, and significantly reduced DNA damage in cells exposed to neocarzinostatin for 2 h. Three of the simpler formulations showed similar results. Moreover, the antioxidant activity was tested using a recently developed whole cell-based chemiluminescent bioassay; results showed that a 24-h treatment with the supplement and three simpler formulations significantly reduced intracellular H2O2 after pro-oxidant injury, thus suggesting their possible antiaging effect. This study's originality lies in the use of a 3D human keratinocyte cell model and a combination of natural ingredients targeting DNA damage and oxidative stress, providing a robust evaluation of their anti-aging potential.

Dermal Injection of Recombinant Filaggrin-2 Ameliorates UVB-Induced Epidermal Barrier Dysfunction and Photoaging.

The epidermal barrier is vital for protecting the skin from environmental stressors and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Filaggrin-2 (FLG2), a critical protein in the stratum corneum, plays a significant role in maintaining skin barrier homeostasis. However, the precise role of FLG2 in mitigating the adverse effects of UV-induced barrier disruption and photoaging remains poorly understood. In this study, we revealed that UVB exposure resulted in a decreased expression of FLG2 in HaCaT keratinocytes, which correlated with a compromised barrier function. The administration of recombinant filaggrin-2 (rFLG2) enhanced keratinocyte differentiation, bolstered barrier integrity, and offered protection against apoptosis and oxidative stress induced by UVB irradiation. Furthermore, in a UV-induced photodamage murine model, the dermal injection of rFLG2 facilitated the enhanced restoration of the epidermal barrier, decreased oxidative stress and inflammation, and mitigated the collagen degradation that is typical of photoaging. Collectively, our findings suggested that targeting FLG2 could be a strategic approach to prevent and treat skin barrier dysfunction and combat the aging effects associated with photoaging. rFLG2 emerges as a potentially viable therapy for maintaining skin health and preventing skin aging processes amplified by photodamage.

The Characteristics and Inheriting Pattern of Skin Aging in Chinese Women: An Intergenerational Study of Mothers and Daughters.

The aging of the skin, which is affected by both external and internal causes, can reflect the external age and the internal health status. While the aging characteristics differ across ethnic groups, the specific changes in skin aging within the Chinese population have been underexplored. Moreover, investigating the similarity of aging skin characteristics between parent-offspring pairs remains uncharted territory. This study aims to fill these gaps by examining the skin aging features of Chinese women and assessing the similarity in aging skin characteristics between mother-daughter pairs. A total of 40 mother-daughter pairs were recruited and analyzed. The perceived ages of the participants were evaluated, and their aging skin traits were systematically graded. Statistical methods were employed to discern the trends of the aging skin characteristics. By introducing a novel similarity parameter, we compared whether various skin aging characteristics have similar patterns between mothers and daughters. Our findings indicate that age 50 represents a pivotal point in skin aging. Beyond this age, the increase in rhytides and laxity scores accelerated noticeably, whereas the escalation in dyschromia scores became less marked. By introducing similar parameters between mother-daughter pairs and the radar map, we discovered that the skin aging characteristics are remarkably consistent between mother-daughter pairs. Understanding the main aging skin characteristics of different age groups can allow caregivers to devise treatments for preventing skin aging in women of various ages. The mother's skin aging trend is also significant for the daughter's skin aging prevention.

Synthesis of 7,8-dihydroxy-4-phenylbenzo[g]coumarins as potential multitarget anti-skin-aging candidates

Skin aging is a gradual, spontaneous, slow-processing, and natural phenomenon that induces a negative impact on the skin's function and structure. Numerous cosmoceutical products have been studied for their ability to prevent skin aging. However, only one published study looked into these coumarin-related traits. This research gap stimulated the initiation of the present work, in which six 4-phenyldihydroxybenzocoumarins were synthesized starting from 2,3,6-triaminonaphthalene. The latter was transformed into a diazonium salt product that undergoes a Sandmeyer reaction, forming 2,3,6-trihydroxynaphthalene. This multihydroxylated compound is coupled with various ethyl benzoylacetate derivatives to yield the target compounds coded YR1-YR6. By analyzing the FTIR, 1HNMR , 13CNMR , and HRMS spectra, the molecular structures of the synthesized coumarins were confirmed. The anti-skin-aging potential was evaluated by following the inhibitory properties of these compounds against four skin aging-related enzymes, which are tyrosinase, elastase, collagenase, and hyaluronidase. Also, the inhibitory behavior profiles were defined by plotting Lineweaver-Burk diagrams. To detect whether they are normal-skin biocompatible, the compounds under investigation were tested using a human skin keratinocyte line. The results showed that the synthesized coumarins demonstrated outperforming inhibitory properties against the test four enzymes exceeding those of references used. Also, the inhibitory behaviors of the synthesized coumarins were collectively detected as competitive inhibitors against enzymes under study. Regarding the skin biocompatibility, these compounds showed excellent biosafety profiles toward the keratinocytes studied. Given the results, the general framework of the synthesized coumarins, 7,8-dihydroxy-4-phenylbenzo[g]coumarin, is responsible for the superior anti-skin-aging effects. On the other hand, the para substitution on the phenyl ring exerts a detected but minor role in these effects. The author concluded that the skeletons of the synthesized coumarins provide insights to develop potential multitarget anti-skin-aging biocompatible candidates. Also, there is a good opportunity for YR1 and YR2 to be directly included in the pre-clinical studies, minimizing the time spent considering them as anti-skin medications.

Beyond the genome: protecting the proteome may be the key to preventing skin aging.

Skin aging is associated with a progressive decline in physiological functions, skin cancers and, ultimately, death. It may be categorized as intrinsic or extrinsic, whereby intrinsic aging is attributed to chronological and genetic factors. At the molecular level, skin aging involves changes in protein conformation and function. The skin proteome changes constantly, mainly through carbonylation; an irreversible phenomenon leading to protein accumulation as toxic aggregates that impair cellular physiology and accelerate skin aging. This review details the central role of proteostasis during skin aging and why proteome protection may be a promising approach in mitigating skin aging. A comprehensive literature review of 87 articles focusing on the proteome, proteostasis, proteotoxicity, protein carbonylation, and the impact of the damaged proteome on aging, and in particular skin aging, was conducted. Skin aging is associated with deficiencies in the repair mechanisms of DNA, transcriptional control, mitochondrial function, cell cycle control, apoptosis, cellular metabolism, changes in hormonal levels secondary to toxicity of damaged proteins, and cell-to-cell communication for tissue homeostasis, which are largely controlled by proteins. In this context, a damaged proteome that leads to the loss of proteostasis may be considered as the first step in tissue aging. There is growing evidence that a healthy proteome plays a central role in skin and in maintaining healthy tissues, thus slowing down the process of skin aging. Hence, protecting the proteome against oxidative or other damage may be an appropriate strategy to prevent and delay skin aging.

Effect and mechanism of Tricholoma matsutake extract combined with bakuchiol and ergothioneine on UVB-induced skin aging.

Aging is a physiological phenomenon in the process of life, and skin aging has a significant impact on human appearance. Therefore, the search for methods to delay skin aging is of great significance for improving the quality of human life. This study investigated the anti-photoaging effect of Tricholoma matsutake (T) extract composition combined with bakuchiol (B) and ergothioneine (E), and explored its potential mechanism through transcriptome, metabolomics, and network pharmacology. 57 main chemical components are identified from the ethanol extract of T. matsutake (T), including D-carnitine (24.55%), α,α-trehalose (15.56%), DL malic acid (8.99%), D-(-)-quinic acid (7.46%), erucamide (7.04%) and so on. After TBE treatment, inflammation of the mice dorsal skin is significantly minimized. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and toluidine blue staining reveal that TBE has an anti-inflammatory effect on the back skin tissue of mice. Masson staining shows that TBE has a repair effect on mice dorsal skin tissue. In addition, the inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) in the mice dorsal skin tissues are significantly reduced but collagen (COL-1) is significantly increased. By cellular immunofluorescence assay, TBE is shown to promote PPAR-α expression in cells. Transcriptomics, metabolomics, and network pharmacology have revealed that TBE can regulate exogenous stimuli and cancer-related signaling pathways to prevent skin aging. The results suggest that TBE can be a beneficial supplement to natural anti-aging.

Novel Insights into Phaseolus vulgaris L. Sprouts: Phytochemical Analysis and Anti-Aging Properties.

Skin aging is an inevitable and intricate process instigated, among others, by oxidative stress. The search for natural sources that inhibit this mechanism is a promising approach to preventing skin aging. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the composition of phenolic compounds in the micellar extract of Phaseolus vulgaris sprouts. The results of a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis revealed the presence of thirty-two constituents, including phenolic acids, flavanols, flavan-3-ols, flavanones, isoflavones, and other compounds. Subsequently, the extract was assessed for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-collagenase, anti-elastase, anti-tyrosinase, and cytotoxic properties, as well as for the evaluation of collagen synthesis. It was demonstrated that micellar extract from common bean sprouts has strong anti-aging properties. The performed WST-8 (a water-soluble tetrazolium salt) assay revealed that selected concentrations of extract significantly increased proliferation of human dermal fibroblasts compared to the control cells in a dose-dependent manner. A similar tendency was observed with respect to collagen synthesis. Our results suggest that micellar extract from Phaseolus vulgaris sprouts can be considered a promising anti-aging compound for applications in cosmetic formulations.

Anti-aging trends in Australia.

Anti-aging trends in Australia have changed considerably since the country emerged from the lockdowns associated with the SARS-Cov2 pandemic. People now rely on social media influencers for skin care advice and skin care products, including professional skin care treatments that can be purchased on Internet platforms. The quest for the perfect 'zoom face' led to a 300% rise in cosmetic procedures across Australia in the year to April 2021. People now want to use less products on their skin, while looking healthy and natural (termed 'skin minimalism'). The popularity of retinoid derivatives for preventing wrinkles has been superseded by non-irritating actives like hyaluronic acid (HA) and niacinamide that provide skin barrier protection, skin hydration, plumping and anti-inflammatory effects. Botulinum toxin injections remain the most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedure, followed by HA fillers, and biostimulators that promote the synthesis of collagen and give longer lasting but more gradual results than HA fillers. Laser resurfacing is widely used for epidermal resurfacing and skin tightening, as well as non-ablative lasers, intense pulsed light and radiofrequency or ultrasound skin tightening devices. Superficial chemical peels are still popular because they are relatively gentle, inexpensive, and require no downtime, whereas medium-to-deep chemical peels have largely been superseded by laser technology. However, the most efficient approach to prevent skin aging is adopting a healthy lifestyle and taking action against all factors of the skin aging exposome.

Protective effects of Zingiber cassumunar Roxb. extract against UVB‐induced oxidative stress in Wistar albino rats (Rattus novergicus Berkenhout, 1769)

Protecting the skin from the effects of UVB radiation using natural products is crucial in the cosmeceutical industry. This study aims to investigate the protective effects of Bangle (Zingiber cassumunar Roxb.) against UVB‐induced skin damage in Wistar albino rats. The rhizomes were macerated using 70% ethanol v/v, followed by n‐hexane to obtain n‐hexane soluble and n‐hexane insoluble fraction. The antioxidant properties of the ethanol extracts and n‐hexane soluble fraction were evaluated using a 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The study also examined the antiphotoaging properties through reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging assay, matrix metalloproteinase‐1 (MMP‐1) expression, and tyrosinase expression against UVB radiation in Wistar albino rats. The results demonstrated that the Z. cassumunar extract and fraction effectively converted DPPH radicals into a more stable compound. Analysis revealed the presence of Benzene, 4‐(1Z)‐1,3‐butadien‐1‐yl‐1,2‐dimethoxy‐ and (E)‐4‐(3,4‐Dimethoxyphenyl) but‐3‐en‐1‐ol as the primary compounds in both the extract and fraction, suggesting their contribution to the observed activity. Furthermore, Z. cassumunar compounds could reduce UVB‐induced ROS production and may protect against skin photoaging by changing the expression of MMP‐1 and tyrosinase levels in Wistar albino rats. These findings suggest that Z. cassumunar holds promise for preventing skin aging.

피부노화 인식이 이너뷰티 구매 행동의도에 미치는 영향 연구

There has been a rising demand for rational and professional skincare habits to slow down or prevent skin aging. Under these circumstances, inner-beauty products have recently played a major trend. This study attempted to investigate the perception of skin aging and inner-beauty product purchase behavior intention-related factors against adult women and analyze their correlations, and the results found the followings: First, the perception of skin aging had a statistically significant influence on inner-beauty purchase behavior intention. Second, the perception of skin aging revealed a statistically significant effect on skincare behavior. Third, skincare behavior affected inner-beauty purchase behavior intention with statistical significance. Fourth, skincare behavior between perception of skin aging and inner-beauty purchase behavior intention revealed a statistically significant influence as a mediator variable. The above results confirm that perception of skin aging and skincare behavior such as use of cosmetics have an influence on inner-beauty purchase behavior intention. It is anticipated that the study results would be available as basic data for developing inner-beauty products and marketing strategies.

A Glance into the Destiny of Transcriptomic Activity, Embodied by the HOX Genes, in Neonatal and Aging Dermal Cells.

Skin is an organ having a crucial role in the protection of muscle, bone, and internal organs and undergoing continuous self-renewal and aged. The growing interest in the prevention of skin aging and rejuvenation has sparked a surge of industrial and research studies focusing on the biological and transcriptional changes that occur during skin development and aging. In this study, the aim is to identify transcriptional differences between two main types of human skin cells: the human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) and the human epidermis keratinocytes (HEKs) isolated from 30 neonatal and 30 adults (old) skin. Through differentially expressed gene (DEG) profiling using DEseq2, 604 up-, and 769 down-regulated genes are identified in the old group. A functional analysis using Metascape Gene Ontology and Reactome pathways revealed systematic transcriptomic shifts in key skin formation and maintenance markers, alongside a distinct difference in HOX gene families crucial for embryonic development and diverse biological processes. Among the 39 human HOX gene family, ten posterior HOX genes (HOXA10, 11, 13, HOXB13, HOXC11, and HOXD9-13) are significantly downregulated, and anterior 25 genes (HOXA2-7, HOXB1-9, HOXC4-6 and 8-9, and HOXD1,3,4 and 8) are upregulated, especially in the old HDFs. The study successfully demonstrates the correlation between HOX genes and the skin aging process, providing strong evidence that HOX genes are proposed as a new marker for skin aging assessment.

Exploring the Clinical Applications of Lemongrass Essential Oil: A Scoping Review.

Lemongrass is a medicinal plant that produces essential oil with a variety of therapeutic properties. Although lemongrass essential oil (LGEO) is promising in clinical applications, the existing knowledge on the efficacy and safety of LGEO remains limited. This scoping review aimed to identify, summarize, and synthesize existing literature related to the clinical applications of LGEO to provide an overview of its potential therapeutic benefits for patients. Three databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus) were used following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines to find articles published between 1 January 2013, and 1 November 2022. A total of 671 records were identified and 8 articles were included in this scoping review. The majority of patients received oromucosal and topical treatment. The results of the studies suggest that LGEO might be a useful tool in the treatment of periodontitis, gingivitis and oral malodour, with similar efficacy to chlorhexidine (anti-gingivitis effect) and doxycycline (periodontitis). Additionally, LGEO has the potential for treating pityriasis versicolor and preventing skin aging and may have anti-dandruff effects. These findings not only underscore the diverse clinical potential of LGEO but also emphasize its comparable efficacy to established treatments. Further research is imperative to comprehensively evaluate LGEO's effectiveness, safety, mechanisms of action, potential interactions with other medications, and its long-term tolerability across diverse populations.

The Possible Roles of β-alanine and L-carnosine in Anti-aging.

alanine (BA), being a non-proteinogenic amino acid, is an important constituent of L-carnosine (LC), which is necessary for maintaining the muscle buffering capacity and preventing a loss of muscle mass associated with aging effects. BA is also very important for normal human metabolism due to the formation of a part of pantothenate, which is incorporated into coenzyme A. BA is synthesized in the liver, and its combination with histidine results in the formation of LC, which accumulates in the muscles and brain tissues and has a well-defined physiological role as a good buffer for the pH range of muscles that caused its rapidly increased popularity as ergogenic support to sports performance. The main antioxidant mechanisms of LC include reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging and chelation of metal ions. With age, the buffering capacity of muscles also declines due to reduced concentration of LC and sarcopenia. Moreover, LC acts as an antiglycation agent, ultimately reducing the development of degenerative diseases. LC has an anti-inflammatory effect in autoimmune diseases such as osteoarthritis. As histidine is always present in the human body in higher concentrations than BA, humans have to get BA from dietary sources to support the required amount of this critical constituent to supply the necessary amount of LC synthesis. Also, BA has other beneficial effects, such as preventing skin aging and intestinal damage, improving the stress-- fighting capability of the muscle cells, and managing an age-related decline in memory and learning. In this review, the results of a detailed analysis of the role and various beneficial properties of BA and LC from the anti-aging perspective.

Oroxylin A ameliorates ultraviolet radiation-induced premature skin aging by regulating oxidative stress via the Sirt1 pathway

Skin is susceptible to premature aging in response to ultraviolet (UV) radiation-induced oxidative stress, which can ultimately result in aberrant aging or age-related disorders. Accordingly, strategies that can be adopted to mitigate oxidative stress may contribute to protecting skin from induced aging-related damage, thereby offering promising approaches for the treatment of skin diseases and disorders. In this regard, oroxylin A (OA), a natural flavonoid isolated from certain plants used in traditional Chinese medicine, is considered to have notable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties, and is often used to treat certain inflammatory diseases. To date, however, there has been comparatively little research on the effects of OA with respect skin aging. In this study, we utilized UV radiation-induced mouse and cellular models of aging to assess the efficacy of OA in protecting against skin aging. Subsequently, to elucidate the potential mechanisms underlying the protective effect of OA on skin aging, we performed molecular docking analysis to investigate the involvement of the anti-aging gene Sirt1, which was further confirmed on the basis of Sirt1 gene silencing. We accordingly demonstrated that by promoting an increase in the expression of Sirt1, OA can contribute to suppressing UV-induced skin photo-aging in cells/mice by reducing oxidative stress. Furthermore, we established that by activating Sirt1, OA can also promote the dissociation of Nrf2 from Keap1 and its subsequent nuclear translocation. Collectively, our findings in this study reveal OA to be an effective natural compound that can be administered to delay the aging of skin triggered by UV, both in vivo and in vitro, by binding to Sirt1 to promote the deacetylation and nuclear translocation of Nrf2, thereby contributing to a reduction in oxidative stress. These findings may this provide a therapeutic target for the prevention of skin aging or aging-induced skin diseases.

Oral intake of milk ceramides improves skin hydration, elasticity, and wrinkles around the eyes: A 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Previous studies have shown that milk ceramide (MC) protects against photoaging in ultraviolet B-irradiated mice. Thus, we conducted a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study to evaluate the skin improvement efficacy of MC. The participants were women aged 30–65 years with crow’s feet who were randomly assigned to receive either MC (600 mg/day) or a placebo for 12 weeks. The participants' degree of wrinkles around eyes was analyzed by expert graders. Additionally, changes in parameters related to skin wrinkling, moisture, and elasticity were measured. In the MC group, the wrinkles and roughness index around the eyes were significantly improved. After 12 weeks, the MC group showed significantly lower transepidermal water loss, and higher skin moisture and elasticity index than the placebo group. No serious adverse events were observed during the study period. Therefore, MC intake is expected to prevent skin aging by improving skin moisture and elasticity and weakening wrinkles.

Can Skin Aging be Reversible by Anti-Aging Treatments with Genetic Analysis?

Skin aging is affected by internal and external factors. The stratum corneum consists of keratinocytes, and as these mature in the epidermis, their proliferative potential gradually decreases and the skin undergoes programmed destruction. There are many single nucleotid polymorphism (SNP)s associated with skin aging. The COL1A1, MMP1, and CYP1A2 genes are responsible for collagen degradation and production. Changes in these genes affect collagen degradation and production. The MCR1 and STXBP5L genes are important for ultraviolet (UV) protection and moisturizing the skin. Due to changes in these genes, the skin cannot be well protected from UV rays, and skin aging accelerates. As free radicals in the skin increase, oxidative stress increases. The SOD2, GPX1, and GSTP1 genes play a role in protecting the body against oxidative stress. Also, coenzyme Q10 acts against oxidative stress. The change in the NQO1 gene cannot convert coenzyme Q10 to its active form, ubiquinol, which causes increased oxidative stress in the skin. Another factor that affects the aging of the skin is the aggressive immune system. The TNF-α gene influences the inflammatory responses generated by the immune system. If the TNF-α gene is not working properly, it can create an overly aggressive reaction and damage tissue. In addition, vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant, and changes in the APOA5 gene cause vitamin E deficiency. This affects the protection of the skin from UV rays. Another important vitamin for the skin is vitamin C, and the SLC23A1 gene is involved in vitamin C transport. Changes in this gene cause vitamin C deficiency and affect oxidative stress and collagen production in the skin. These polymorphisms affect the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that affect the aging of the skin. In order for individuals to prevent skin aging, these polymorphisms should be analyzed, and skin aging can be delayed with skin care products suitable for the person.

Preventive effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells on skin aging in rats

The irreversibility of aging makes anti-aging become an important research direction in the field of medical research. As the most direct manifestation of human aging, skin aging has been paid more and more attention. Stem cells have been used as a basis for anti-aging studies in skin, of which adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells are more commonly used. In this study, human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells were used, and human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells were intervened while making a skin aging model, which was planned to reduce the process of preventing skin aging in the study method. At the end of the experiment, rat skin and serum were taken for relevant data detection. The results showed that the contents of EGF and VEGF in serum and skin tissue of rats increased and the content of MDA decreased after the application of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells. At the same time, hUCMSC intervention increased skin thickness, increased dermal vessels, increased type I collagen type III collagen mRNA expression, and decreased MMP-1 content in rats. The results showed that hUCMSC could prevent skin aging in rats.

α-ketoglutarate produced by lactic acid bacteria inhibits hyaluronidase activity.

In Japan, the growing interest in anti-aging skin care is associated with the unprecedented aging society. Skin aging can be attributed to various factors, including the activation of hyaluronidase enzyme in subcutaneous tissues exposed to ultraviolet radiation. This enzyme breaks down hyaluronic acid, leading to skin sagging. Therefore, hyaluronidase inhibitors can effectively prevent skin aging. Previously, food components have been actively explored to search for hyaluronidase inhibitors considering the high safety of these materials. Although lactic acid bacteria (LAB)-fermented foods inhibit this enzyme, their active compounds responsible for hyaluronidase inhibition remain unknown. Thus, in this study, we aimed to explore the mechanism underlying the LAB-mediated inhibition of hyaluronidase activity. Supernatants of a LAB-fermented milk-based beverage were subjected to a hyaluronidase inhibition assay, followed by purification and separation using hydrophobic adsorbents and high-performance liquid chromatography, respectively. Subsequently, liquid chromatograph time-of-flight mass analysis was performed, revealing α-ketoglutarate (AKG) as the inhibitor of this enzyme. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of AKG was approximately 0.13-fold that of the known strong hyaluronidase inhibitor disodium cromoglycate (DSCG). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on hyaluronidase inhibition mediated by AKG, a metabolic product of LAB. Additionally, Lactobacillus acidophilus JCM1132 was identified as a highly effective AKG-producing LAB (63.9 µg/mL) through LC-MS/MS-based quantitative analyses using various LAB-fermented milk samples. We anticipate that the findings of this study will potentially support the development of functional foods and cosmetics enriched with AKG.

Determination of some sex hormones in health supplements by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

The trend of using dietary supplements in daily life is increasingly popular. However, sex hormones are illegally mixed to improve product effectiveness such as promoting hair growth, developing chest muscles, preventing skin aging, promoting growth, etc. In this study, a liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and applied to quantify sex hormones: progesterone (PG), testosterone (TS), and 17β-estradiol (E2) in health supplements. A Symmetry C18 reversed-phase chromatography column (150 mm x 3.0 mm x 3.5 μm) using a mobile phase system consisting of A: 10 mM HCOONH4/0.1% HCOOH, B: ACN was used.  Mass spectrometry conditions were set at positive ionization mode, precursor ion and two corresponding daughter ions were selected for each analyte. Quantification limits of PG and TS were 0.4 mg/kg and E2 was 4 mg/kg in liquid matrix, hard and soft capsules. The validated method was applied to detect sex hormones in 16 health supplement samples purchased at pharmacies in Hanoi, Vietnam and some online websites. Three samples were detected to be positive for sex hormones, including one sample containing a sex hormone (testosterone) banned from use in health supplements at a low content (about 0.5 mg/kg).

Alginate oligosaccharide-mediated butyrate-HIF-1α axis improves skin aging in mice

The “gut-skin” axis has been proved and is considered as a novel therapy for the prevention of skin aging. The antioxidant efficacy of oligomannonic acid (MAOS) makes it an intriguing target for use to improve skin aging. The present study further explored whereby MAOS-mediated gut-skin axis balance prevented skin aging in mice. The data indicated the skin aging phenotypes, oxidative stress, skin mitochondrial dysfunction, and intestinal dysbiosis (especially the butyrate and HIF-1α levels decreased) in aging mice. Similarly, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from aging mice rebuild the aging-like phenotypes. Further, we demonstrated MAOS-mediated colonic butyrate-HIF-1α axis homeostasis promoted the entry of butyrate into the skin, upregulated mitophagy level and ultimately improving skin aging via HDAC3/PHD/HIF-1α/mitophagy loop in skin of mice. Overall, our study offered a better insights of the effectiveness of alginate oligosaccharides (AOS), promised to become a personalized targeted therapeutic agents, on gut-skin axis disorder inducing skin aging.