Effects of glyceryl glucoside on AQP3 expression, barrier function and hydration of human skin.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Aquaporins (AQPs) present in the epidermis are essential hydration-regulating elements controlling cellular water and glycerol transport. In this study, the potential of glyceryl glucoside [GG; alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-alpha-(1->2)-glycerol], an enhanced glycerol derivative, to increase the expression of AQP3 in vitro and ex vivo was evaluated. METHODS: In vitro studies with real-time RT-PCR and FACS measurements were performed to test the induction by GG (3% w/v) of AQP3 mRNA and protein in cultured human keratinocytes. GG-containing formulations were applied topically to volunteer subjects and suction blister biopsies were analyzed to assess whether GG (5%) could penetrate the epidermis of intact skin, and subsequently upregulate AQP3 mRNA expression and improve barrier function. RESULTS: AQP3 mRNA and protein levels were significantly increased in cultured human keratinocytes. In the studies on volunteer subjects, GG significantly increased AQP3 mRNA levels in the skin and reduced transepidermal water loss compared with vehicle-controlled areas. CONCLUSION: GG promotes AQP3 mRNA and protein upregulation and improves skin barrier function, and may thus offer an effective treatment option for dehydrated skin.

Sex Differences in How Territory Quality Affects Aggression in Convict Cichlids.

In animal contests, the value an individual assigns to limited resources can directly impact the level of aggression it demonstrates. For territorial species, individuals often assess their territory quality and appropriately modify the time and energy invested in its defense. In this study, male and female convict cichlids, Amatitlania nigrofasciata, were acclimated to one of three territorial treatments representing either a low, medium, or high resource value. Territories with a "Low Value" included substrate alone, "Medium Value" territories included substrate and a nest site, and a "High Value" territory included substrate, a nest site, and constant food source. After three days of acclimation, a size-matched intruder was introduced to elicit territorial aggression and behaviors were observed. Territory quality affected one measure of low-intensity aggression (displays) in residents but had no effect on high-intensity aggression (bites and chases). Moreover, there was a significant effect of sex, with males and females differing in the types of aggressive behaviors demonstrated across all treatments. Females showed more low-intensity aggressive behaviors toward intruders than males did. Additionally, a significant interaction of sex and territory quality was observed on two measures of high-intensity aggressive behavior (bites and chases), with females more likely than males to increase aggressive behaviors along with increasing territory quality. This suggests that females may be more sensitive and/or responsive to changes in the quality of a territory, possibly due to the necessity of a suitable nest site for egg deposition within a territory.

Aging skin is functionally anaerobic: importance of coenzyme Q10 for anti aging skin care.

The functional loss of mitochondria represents an inherent part in modern theories trying to explain the cutaneous aging process. The present study shows significant age-dependent differences in mitochondrial function of keratinocytes isolated from skin biopsies of young and old donors. Our data let us postulate that energy metabolism shifts to a predominantly non-mitochondrial pathway and is therefore functionally anaerobic with advancing age. CoQ10 positively influences the age-affected cellular metabolism and enables to combat signs of aging starting at the cellular level. As a consequence topical application of CoQ10 is beneficial for human skin as it rapidly improves mitochondrial function in skin in vivo.

Stimulation of skin's energy metabolism provides multiple benefits for mature human skin.

As an organism ages, there is a decline in mitochondrial function and cellular energy balance. This decline is both accelerated by and can cause the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that damage nuclear and mitochondrial DNA, lipid membranes as well as structural and catalytic proteins, especially those involved in energetic pathways of cells. Further, ROS have also been linked to some of the detrimental skin changes that occur as a result of photoaging. We have previously shown that levels of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a component of the respiratory chain in mitochondria, are reduced in skin cells from aging donors, and that topical supplementation can ameliorate processes involved in skin aging. Creatine is another important component of the cellular energy system and phosphocreatine, its phosphorylated form, functions as a reservoir for high energy phosphates. Unfortunately the creatine system and thus the energy storage mechanism in skin are negatively affected by aging and conditions of oxidative stress. This article reviews some of our in vivo data about the synergistic effects of combining a stabilized form of Creatine with CoQ10 and clearly depicts their beneficial effects as active ingredients in topical formulations.

Rapid development of tolerance to morphine in the formalin test.

Previous reports have suggested that tolerance to the antinociceptive effects of morphine does not develop in the formalin test. To re-examine these findings, morphine was administered via multiple injections or continuous infusion from 0 to 4 days prior to testing with either the formalin or tail-flick test. Following twice daily injections (5.0 mg kg-1 s.c.), significant tolerance developed within 2 days with the formalin test but not until day 4 with the tail-flick test. Significant tolerance was noted with both tests 4 days following the implantation of osmotic mini-pumps (10 mg kg-1 day-1, s.c.). We conclude that in mice, tolerance to the analgesic effects of morphine develops rapidly with the formalin test.

The effect of hip reduction on function in patients with myelomeningocele. Potential gains and hazards of surgical treatment.

We studied seventy-six patients with myelomeningocele who were more than five years old and ahd had no hip surgery during the two previous years. Of these seventy-six patients, forty-one had had no operative treatment intended to reduce the dislocation of their hips and thirty-five had been operated on one or more times to reduce or maintain reduction of one or both hips. The presence of the femoral head in the acetabulum did not improve range of hip motion or ability to walk, nor did it reduce the amount of bracing required or decrease pain. The complications of surgical treatment to gain reduction were numerous and included failure to obtain stability in 40 per cent of the hips, loss of hip motion, and fractures. A level pelvis and a good range of hip motion were found to be more important for function than reduction of the hips. The goal of treatment should be maximum function, not roentgenographic reduction of the dislocated hip.

Anti-social personality disorder and response to methadone maintenance treatment.

A sample of 183 current methadone maintenance patients were interviewed on their drug use history, criminal history, current drug use, and symptoms of Anti-social Personality Disorder (ASPD). Thirty-nine percent of patients met the DSM-III-R criteria for a diagnosis of ASPD. ASPD patients had an earlier onset of drug use, drug injecting, heroin use, had wider polydrug using histories and had been arrested earlier and more frequently than other patients. Despite the different pretreatment histories of ASPD and other patients, there were no differences between the two groups in retention in treatment, methadone dosage or heroin use. It is concluded that heroin-dependent ASPD patients can be successfully retained in methadone treatment, on similar methadone doses and with similar in-treatment drug use patterns as those of non-ASPD heroin dependent patients.

Alterations in the epidermal-dermal melanin axis and factor XIIIa melanophages in senile lentigo and ageing skin.

BACKGROUND: Senile lentigo (SL) is a pigmentation disorder that occurs predominantly on the dorsa of the hands, the forearms and the face; its incidence increases with age. Histological hallmarks of SL lesions are hyperpigmentation of the epidermis and elongation of the epidermal rete ridges. Various factors such as alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, endothelin-1 or stem cell factor are involved in the onset and maintenance of the increased pigmentation. Alterations of the dermal compartment have not yet been analysed in detail in SL. OBJECTIVES: To study the occurrence and distribution of melanin in the dermis from SL and aged skin, biopsies from 12 subjects were morphologically analysed by light and electron microscopy in comparison with unaffected skin. METHODS: Punch biopsies of SL and adjacent skin from 12 male or female volunteers aged 52-81 years were prepared for light and electron microscopy and samples were analysed by morphological, morphometric, histochemical and immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: The epidermis from SL revealed morphological features such as hyperpigmentation of basal keratinocytes and the formation of elongated rete ridges. S100+ melanocytes in the stratum basale were not markedly increased, indicating that the hyperpigmentation is predominantly due to changes in melanin synthesis, distribution or turnover. Quantification of epidermal cells expressing the proliferation marker Ki67 did not show an increase of this parameter in SL, indicating that at least in the established lesion cell proliferation is not enhanced. We further focused on the dermal compartment and observed granulated cells which were more abundant in SL. Electron microscopic and histochemical analysis revealed that the granulation of these cells is based on melanosomes, mostly present in large melanosomal complexes. Immunohistochemistry using antibodies to CD68 and factor XIIIa (FXIIIa) showed these melanophages to be predominantly FXIIIa+ dermal dendrocytes, which were about six times more abundant than CD68+ macrophages. CONCLUSIONS: In SL an increased number of melanophages was found compared with unaffected skin from the same subject. These melanophages were identified as FXIIIa+ dermal dendrocytes. Possible functional consequences of the massive melanin uptake by dermal dendrocytes are discussed.

[Modulation of oxidative stresses in human aging skin]. / Modulation des oxidativen Stresses in der humanen Altershaut.

Oxidative stress (UV irradiation, free radicals) plays a significant role in aging. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and exogenously applied antioxidants can significantly reduce the formation of oxidative stress with increasing age. In our in vitro and in vivo experiments concerning the parameters of ultraweak photon emission (UPE), intracellular thiol status, mitochondrial membrane potential and cell vitality, we demonstrated a diminished resistance in keratinocytes of old donors against UV irradiation. This reduced epidermal resistance against oxidative stressors, i.e. UV irradiation, can be improved by topical application of CoQ10 and antioxidants like alpha-glucosylrutin (15). Furthermore, our in vivo investigations show that wrinkles around the region of the eyes ("crow feet") could be reduced by long-term application of CoQ10.