Efficacy of a collagen hydrolysate and antioxidants-containing nutraceutical on metrics of skin health in Indian women.

BACKGROUND: The skin's aging process involves a decreased biosynthesis of extracellular matrix proteins (predominantly collagen) compounded by damage from environmental and intrinsic stressors. The Indian population is susceptible to skin damage given its geography and increasing urbanization or a genetic disposition. Previous studies have investigated nutrients such as collagen peptides, vitamins and phytonutrient-rich botanical extracts for their individual benefits on skin. AIMS: This study examined the collective effect of a proprietary blend of these nutrients (in Nutrova Collagen+Antioxidants; NCA) on skin parameters, which has not been previously studied, especially in an Indian context. PATIENTS/METHODS: 34 healthy, Indian women (mean age = 39.5 years) were given a placebo daily for 30 days to establish a baseline, followed by NCA for two intervals of 30 days. 3D image reconstruction allowed the analysis of skin topography and blemishes. Instrumental measurements also included skin firmness, elasticity, hydration, and transepidermal water loss. Clinical evaluation was used to grade blemishes, wrinkles and periorbital hyperpigmentation. RESULTS: Based on instrumental evaluation, NCA significantly reduced wrinkle width, open pores, skin roughness, and the colour of hyperpigmented blemishes, while improving skin hydration, firmness and barrier function from baseline to Day 30 and Day 60. NCA also increased elasticity at Day 30. Clinical evaluation showed that periorbital hyperpigmentation and wrinkles reduced significantly. CONCLUSION: NCA is effective for improving overall skin health in Indian women. These results show that targeted nutrient supplementation can improve skin health and further research over extended durations is merited.

Author Correction: Bi-directional cell-pericellular matrix interactions direct stem cell fate.

The original version of this Article contained an error in the author affiliations. The affiliation of Marjan Enayati with 'Ludwig Boltzmann Cluster for Cardiovascular Research at the Center for Biomedical Research, Medical University of Vienna, Austria' was inadvertently omitted. This has now been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.

Author Correction: Bi-directional cell-pericellular matrix interactions direct stem cell fate.

In the original version of this Article the dataset identifier in the Data Availability statement was incorrect. The correct dataset identifier is PXD009500. This has been corrected in the HTML and PDF versions of this Article.

Bi-directional cell-pericellular matrix interactions direct stem cell fate.

Modifiable hydrogels have revealed tremendous insight into how physical characteristics of cells' 3D environment drive stem cell lineage specification. However, in native tissues, cells do not passively receive signals from their niche. Instead they actively probe and modify their pericellular space to suit their needs, yet the dynamics of cells' reciprocal interactions with their pericellular environment when encapsulated within hydrogels remains relatively unexplored. Here, we show that human bone marrow stromal cells (hMSC) encapsulated within hyaluronic acid-based hydrogels modify their surroundings by synthesizing, secreting and arranging proteins pericellularly or by degrading the hydrogel. hMSC's interactions with this local environment have a role in regulating hMSC fate, with a secreted proteinaceous pericellular matrix associated with adipogenesis, and degradation with osteogenesis. Our observations suggest that hMSC participate in a bi-directional interplay between the properties of their 3D milieu and their own secreted pericellular matrix, and that this combination of interactions drives fate.

In situ endothelialization of intravascular stents from progenitor stem cells coated with nanocomposite and functionalized biomolecules.

Owing to their noninvasive nature, coronary artery stents have become popular demand for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. Late restenosis, in-stent restenosis, and late thrombosis, all mediated by the denuded endothelium, represent the most recurrent failures of vascular stent induction. Higher patency rates of stents can be achieved by restoring the native internal environment of the vessel-an endothelium monolayer. This active organ inhibits the inflammatory reaction to injury responsible for thrombus and intimal hyperplasia, thereby providing a novel therapeutic option to combat the unacceptably high prevalence of restenosis. As the climax of the nanotechnology era approaches, tissue engineering is being explored by means of exploiting the multipotent abilities of stem cells and their adherence to bioactive surface nanocomposite polymers. The endothelium can be reconstructed from neighboring intact endothelium and adherence of circulating endothelium progenitor cells. The latter takes place via a series of signaling events: mobilization, adhesion, chemoattraction, migration, proliferation, and finally their differentiation in mature endothelial cells. A nanotopography surface can orchestrate endothelium formation, attributable to cellular interactions promoted by its nanosize. This review encompasses the prospect of in situ endothelialization, the mechanisms regulating the process, and the advantages of using a new generation of bioactive nanocomposite materials for coating metal stent scaffolds.