A new approach to protecting the skin from aging
S.Kholin, Scientific.ruThe skin is an extremely important tissue of the body.
It performs many functions, most of which are related to the protection of the human body from the effects of various environmental factors. In addition, it participates in metabolic processes, water-salt metabolism, thermoregulation, etc. There are many pain, temperature and other receptors in the skin that allow the body to respond in a timely and adequate manner to biological objects, objects, liquids and gases in contact with it. It has recently been found that it, among other things, affects immune processes and blood pressure.
Like other organs and tissues, the skin gradually changes its properties with age, in particular, the activity of specific cells (fibroblasts) that synthesize connective tissue components deteriorates in it, which causes the composition of a number of important proteins (primarily collagen and elastin) to be disrupted, the water content decreases, the thickness of all skin layers decreases. The consequence of such changes is a significant deviation from the norm of various parameters, especially elasticity and mechanical properties of the skin, slowing down wound healing; at the same time, the penetration of pathogenic bacteria through the skin is facilitated and the frequency of superficial inflammatory and infectious processes increases.
The condition of the skin is affected by: peculiarities of nutrition and water regime, vitamin deficiency, sun rays, diseases of internal organs, metabolic processes in the body, the activity of the endocrine system.
Previously, it was found that an important role in the structural and functional features of the skin is played by hormones of the adrenal cortex, especially glucocorticoids (cortisol, cortisone, corticosterone, etc.). In healthy people, they are formed in small quantities, and the process of their synthesis is controlled by the pituitary gland (through adrenocorticotropic hormone). With a number of endocrine diseases (for example, with Itsenko-Cushing's disease), the production of these hormones increases significantly, and their concentration in the blood significantly exceeds the norm. The result is obesity of the body, pathology of carbohydrate metabolism (hyperglycemia), deterioration of bone tissue, general muscle weakness and many other disorders develop. It is also known that with excessive formation of glucocorticoids, atrophic changes in the skin are observed, thinning of its layers, a decrease in the content of collagen and elastin, deterioration of barrier properties. The aging process of such skin is accelerated in comparison with the skin of a healthy body.
A group of scientists from the UK, France, Brazil and Switzerland led by Ana Tiganescu (11b-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase blockade prevents age-induced skin structure and function defects) conducted a complex study to assess the role of the enzyme 11beta-HSD1 (11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1) in the functional state of the skin and its process aging. The study was conducted on skin samples of laboratory animals and volunteers of different ages. The enzyme 11beta-HSD1 was not chosen by chance as the object of research; the fact is that this biocatalyst plays a key role in the metabolism of glucocorticoids.
As a result of the study, it was found that with skin aging, the synthesis of the enzyme 11beta-HSD1 by fibroblast cells increases, which disrupts the synthesis of collagen and other important proteins and connective tissue components that make up all layers of the skin. This explains the deterioration of its parameters with age. After experimental exposure to inhibitory substances that inhibit the activity of 11beta-HSD1, the development of adverse changes in the skin slows down significantly.
Thus, it is proved that as the body ages, the activity of the enzyme 11beta-HSD1 in the skin increases, as a result of which the local metabolism of glucocorticoid hormones is disrupted and there is a deterioration in biochemical and cellular processes, leading to a decrease in the quality parameters of the skin and slowing down the healing processes of wounds. Inhibition of the activity of the enzyme 11beta-HSD1 by specific inhibitors will slow down the aging process of the skin, improve its strength and stimulate wound healing.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru23.08.2013