Experiment drug is designed to prevent sunburn

Researchers use mouse experiment to develop active ingredients to combat sunburn

08/07/2013

Summer is not only about sunshine and holidays by the sea, but also often a sunburn. But the burned skin can have serious health consequences. Every year, around 140,000 people in Germany suffer from skin cancer. 2,300 do not survive the disease. That is why experts have been looking for effective sun protection for decades. Researchers at US-based Duke University could now have achieved a breakthrough. But before the ointment with the new active ingredient for sunburn reaches market maturity, much work is needed.

Sunscreen with a high sun protection factor provides only limited protection against sunburn
In the blazing sun on the beach fell asleep and it is already there: The sunburn - cancer red, painful and hazardous to health. Because UV radiation is considered the main risk factor for the development of skin cancer. Depending on how long and intensively the skin is exposed to the sun, sometimes a sunscreen in the form of a sunscreen with a high SPF is enough to protect against harmful radiation. But also sun protection factor 30 or higher comes after some time to its limits and the skin is not sufficiently protected. Those who want to stay longer in the sun, should take further protective measures such as wearing a sun hat and airy but body-covering clothing.

Active ingredient against sunburn blocks transport of calcium ions into the skin cells
To prevent a sunburn, researchers led by Wolfgang Liedtke from the US Duke University have investigated how the pain caused by burned skin and how the damage and thus skin cancer can be avoided. Their results are in the trade magazine „Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences "According to the researchers, the TRPV4 ion channel in the outer layer of the skin is the adjusting screw in transporting positively charged ions such as calcium and sodium into the skin cells." As the researchers discovered, UVB radiation acts on the calcium that results It also stimulates the endothelin molecule, which enhances calcium transport and, as the researchers write, endothelin also causes symptoms of sunburn, pain and itching.

First, the researchers came to the mechanism on the basis of experiments with about 50 mice on the track. By gene manipulation, they removed the animals from the TRPV4 molecule and subsequently exposed their hind paws to strong UVB radiation. Due to the genetic modification, the animals suffered little damage, while the unaltered mice showed severe skin burns as in a sunburn. The researchers then examined their findings using human cells in the laboratory. It showed a similar effect.

New ingredient could prevent sunburn and prevent skin cancer
„We have found a new explanation for why sunburn hurts, "says Liedtke „mirror“. „If we understand sunburn, we can better understand pain. "

Once the mechanism was identified, researchers wanted to find a way to harness it in practice - without genetic engineering. They developed an ointment made of a mixture of a disinfectant and the active ingredient GSK205, which blocks the TRPV4 ion channel. The drug has shown the desired success in mouse experiments, the researchers report. GSK205 prevented the transport of calcium into the cell. „The results show TRPV4 as a new target to prevent and treat sunburn, "said Martin Steinhoff of the University of California „mirror“. Steinhoff was also involved in the study. Maybe the ointment could not only prevent the sun's edge, but also „However, Steinhoff knows that it will take some time before the ointment can be launched on the market. „Much work is needed before TRPV4 inhibitors can be used as part of sunscreens or to treat chronic skin damage. "

Australian sunscreen is designed to protect against sunburn with the coral's filter
Recently, Australian researchers have also made progress in developing a novel, improved sunscreen. For a more effective defense against the harmful UV radiation, the scientists investigated the sun protection mechanism of the corals of the Great Barrier Reef. The corals have developed over millions of years special and highly effective filters to protect against harmful solar radiation. The researchers managed to mimic these filters and incorporate them into a special sunscreen for humans, according to the CSIRO. The filters were transparent, colorless and odorless and very stable, so that they were well suited for use in creams and emulsions. But even with this effective sunscreen will take some time until the product is ready for the market. (Ag)