Anti-Aging
Scientists have identified that the activity of a key metabolic enzyme found in the batteries of human skin cells declines with age. The findings could provide new paths to explore new treatments for aging and age-related diseases.
For the first time, scientists at Newcastle University have identified that the activity of a key metabolic enzyme found in the mitochondria of human skin cells declines with age.
The study, published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, found that the activity of mitochondrial complex II, the 'batteries' of cells, significantly decreases in older skin.
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Mark Birch-Machin, Professor of Molecular Dermatology at Newcastle University, led the pioneering study with Dr Amy Bowman from his research group.“As our bodies age we see that the batteries in our cells run down, known as decreased bio-energy, and harmful free radicals increase," Birch-Machin said. “This process is easily seen in our skin as increased fine lines, wrinkles and sagging appears."
Only a few years ago, scientists rewrote the textbooks when it came to the functioning of mitochondria. Mitochondria are organelles inside cells that, among other functions, extract energy from nutrients and convert them into a form that can be used by the cell for its vital processes. The consumption, digestion and assimilation of nutrients serves the ultimate purpose of fueling each and every cell in the body
This new discovery brings experts a step closer to developing powerful anti-ageing treatments and cosmetic products which may be tailored to counteract the decline in the enzyme’s activity levels. The research could also lead to a greater understanding of how other organs in the body age, which could pave the way for drug developments in a number of age-related diseases, including cancer.
"There is now a possibility of finding anti-ageing treatments which can be tailored to differently aged and differently pigmented skin."
“Our study shows, for the first time, in human skin that with increasing age there is a specific decrease in the activity of a key metabolic enzyme found in the batteries of the skin cells," said Birch-Machlin. “This enzyme is the hinge between the two important ways of making energy in our cells and a decrease in its activity contributes to decreased bio-energy in ageing skin."“Our research means that we now have a specific biomarker, or a target, for developing and screening anti-aging treatments and cosmetic creams that may counter this decline in bio-energy," he stated. “There is now a possibility of finding anti-ageing treatments which can be tailored to differently aged and differently pigmented skin, and with the additional possibility to address the ageing process elsewhere in our bodies.”
Complex II activity was measured in 27 donors, from aged six to 72 years. Samples were taken from a sun-protected area of skin to determine if there was a difference in activity with increasing age.
Techniques were used to measure the activities of the key enzymes within mitochondria that are involved in producing the skin cell’s energy, a type of mitochondrial gym or skin physical. This was applied to cells derived from the upper (epidermis) and lower (dermis) levels of skin.
It was found that complex II activity significantly declined with age, per unit of mitochondria, in the cells derived from the lower rather than the upper levels, an observation not previously reported for human skin.
The researchers found that the reason for this is the amount of enzyme protein was decreased and this decrease was only observed in those cells that had stopped proliferating.
Further studies will now be required to fully understand the functional consequences in skin and other tissues, and to establish methods to assess anti-aging strategies in human skin.
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