The secret of young skin is in the expression of genes
Analyzing the activity of human skin genes not only allows us to learn more about what makes us look old. In addition to the prospects of finally finding an effective way to smooth out wrinkles, genomics and proteomics methods will make it possible to verify the statements of manufacturers of skin care products.
In the past, cosmetic companies relied on subjective assessments of the appearance of the skin and changes in its density, color and composition of biomolecules to determine the quality of their products and select the ingredients needed to achieve the best effect. This did not produce sustainable results, says Rosemary Osborne of Procter and Gamble in Cincinnati, Ohio. Now cosmetologists are beginning to use the latest advances in molecular biology, common in the pharmaceutical industry, to measure the expression of thousands of genes in the skin of different ages.
P&G recently compared gene expression in buttock and forearm skin samples of 10 young and 10 elderly women. In the skin of the elderly, they found an increased expression of genes associated with cholesterol and fatty acid synthesis. For genes associated with inflammation and various components of the immune system, which plays an important role in the aging process, the results were exactly the opposite. The use of a cream with nicotinic acid, a vitamin that helps the skin retain moisture, reduced the expression of genes associated with inflammation. Perhaps such studies will someday help in the fight against wrinkles.
The study of the molecular biological characteristics of young skin provides data for a comparative assessment of existing skin care products. For example, P&G is studying the effect of pal-KT – one of the ingredients of a skin care cream – on gene expression. Previously, it was assumed that it increases the production of structural proteins of the skin, such as collagen and laminin. Gene analysis has shown that it also affects the expression of genes associated with wound healing.
P&G is not the only cosmetics company engaged in such research. For example, L'Oréal claims that they were able to identify 25 genes that react differently to skin damage in older and younger people. In addition, in the young, changes in gene expression began only 6 hours after the injury, and in the elderly it took about 30 hours.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of New Scientist: The genetic secrets of younger-looking skin01.07.2009