Antioxidant effect of human placenta hydrolysate against oxidative stress on muscle atrophy.

Sarcopenia, which refers to the muscle loss that accompanies aging, is a complex neuromuscular disorder with a clinically high prevalence and mortality. Despite many efforts to protect against muscle weakness and muscle atrophy, the incidence of sarcopenia and its related permanent disabilities continue to increase. In this study, we found that treatment with human placental hydrolysate (hPH) significantly increased the viability (approximately 15%) of H2 O2 -stimulated C2C12 cells. Additionally, while H2 O2 -stimulated cells showed irregular morphology, hPH treatment restored their morphology to that of cells cultured under normal conditions. We further showed that hPH treatment effectively inhibited H2 O2 -induced cell death. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and Mstn expression induced by oxidative stress are closely associated with muscular dysfunction followed by atrophy. Exposure of C2C12 cells to H2 O2 induced abundant production of intracellular ROS, mitochondrial superoxide, and mitochondrial dysfunction as well as myostatin expression via nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling; these effects were attenuated by hPH. Additionally, hPH decreased mitochondria fission-related gene expression (Drp1 and BNIP3) and increased mitochondria biogenesis via the Sirt1/AMPK/PGC-1α pathway and autophagy regulation. In vivo studies revealed that hPH-mediated prevention of atrophy was achieved predominantly through regulation of myostatin and PGC-1α expression and autophagy. Taken together, our findings indicate that hPH is potentially protective against muscle atrophy and oxidative cell death.

Targeting of sebaceous glands to treat acne by micro-insulated needles with radio frequency in a rabbit ear model.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Many studies have investigated the application of micro-insulated needles with radio frequency (RF) to treat acne in humans; however, the use of a micro-insulated needle RF applicator has not yet been studied in an animal model. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a micro-insulated needle RF applicator in a rabbit ear acne (REA) model. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we investigated the effect of selectively destroying the sebaceous glands using a micro-insulated needle RF applicator on the formation of comedones induced by application of 50% oleic acid and intradermal injection of P. acnes in the orifices of the external auditory canals of rabbits. The effects of the micro-insulated needle RF applicator treatment were evaluated using regular digital photography in addition to 3D Primos imaging evaluation, Skin Visio Meter microscopic photography, and histologic analyses. RESULTS: Use of the micro-insulated needle RF applicator resulted in successful selective destruction of the sebaceous glands and attenuated TNF-alpha release in an REA model. The mechanisms by which micro-insulated needles with RF using 1 MHz exerts its effects may involve inhibition of comedone formation, triggering of the wound healing process, and destruction of the sebaceous glands and papules. CONCLUSION: The use of micro-insulated needles with RF applicators provides a safe and effective method for improving the appearance of symptoms in an REA model. The current in vivo study confirms that the micro-insulated needle RF applicator is selectively destroying the sebaceous glands. Lasers Surg. Med. 49:395-401, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Anti­apoptotic effects of glycosaminoglycans via inhibition of ERK/AP­1 signaling in TNF­α­stimulated human dermal fibroblasts.

It has been established that glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) serve an important role in protecting the skin against the effects of aging. A previous clinical trial by our group identified that a cream containing GAGs reduced wrinkles and increased skin elasticity, dermal density and skin tightening. However, the exact molecular mechanism underlying the anti­aging effect of GAGs has not yet been fully elucidated. The present study assessed the influence of GAGs on cell viability, collagen synthesis and collagen synthesis­associated signaling pathways in tumor necrosis factor­α (TNF­α)­stimulated human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs); an in vitro model of aging. The results demonstrated that GAGs restored type I collagen synthesis and secretion by inhibiting extracellular signal­regulated kinase (ERK) signaling in TNF­α­stimulated HDFs. However, GAGs did not activate c­jun N­terminal kinase or p38. It was determined that GAGs suppressed the phosphorylation of downstream transcription factors of ERK activation, activator protein­1 (AP­1; c­fos and c­jun), leading to a decrease in matrix metalloproteinase­1 (MMP­1) levels and the upregulation of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase­1 in TNF­α­stimulated HDFs. In addition, GAGs attenuated the apoptosis of HDFs induced by TNF­α. The current study revealed a novel mechanism: GAGs serve a crucial role in ameliorating TNF­α­induced MMP­1 expression, which causes type I collagen degeneration via the inactivation of ERK/AP­1 signaling in HDFs. The results of the present study indicate the potential application of GAGs as effective anti­aging agents that induce wrinkle reduction.

A multicenter, randomized, double-blind clinical study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new monophasic hyaluronic acid filler with lidocaine 0.3% in the correction of nasolabial fold.

BACKGROUND: Many new brands of hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers are being introduced, but comparative research on the characteristics of similar products is limited. OBJECTIVE: To test the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of a HA filler with lidocaine, Dermalax implant plus™ (Across), which is used for correcting nasolabial folds (NLFs), and to compare the performance of that of Restylane Sub-Q® (Q-Med). METHODS: A total of 52 subjects with visible NLFs were enrolled in this randomized, multicenter, patient/evaluator-blind, active-controlled, matched-pair clinical study. Each subject was injected with Dermalax implant plus™ in one NLF and Restylane Sub-Q® in the other. All participants were reassessed for cosmetic changes at 2, 8, 12, 16, and 24 weeks. Wrinkle severity was rated using the 5-point Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale (WSRS). RESULTS: At week 24, the mean improvement in the WSRS compared to baseline was 1.06±0.54 for the PLUS side and 0.69±0.58 for the Sub-Q side (week 2: 1.67±0.58 and 1.21±0.67, week 8: 1.60±0.63 and 1.23±0.65, week 12: 1.58±0.61 and 1.15±0.61, week 16: 1.02±0.54 and 0.60±0.53). Average values of pain evaluated by self-assessment 100-mm VAS score within 30 minutes after the procedure in the PLUS and Sub-Q groups were 14.65±16.23 and 38.29±27.27, respectively. Both fillers were well tolerated, and adverse reactions were mild. CONCLUSION: We confirmed that the monophasic HA containing pre-incorporated lidocaine (PLUS) is not inferior to well-studied biphasic HA (Sub-Q) in correcting to severe nasolabial folds for 24 weeks and less painful than biphasic HA not containing lidocaine.