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Specific enzyme the breakthrough in anti-aging research
As people get older, that does not leave our skin without a trace. We get more and more wrinkles in old age and our skin is just not as tight as in our youth. There are of course many products that promise to reduce wrinkles and allegedly make our skin younger. Unfortunately, with little success. In the future, however, there might be really powerful anti-aging treatments. British researchers have now discovered an enzyme responsible for our youthful skin.
There are countless products aimed at rejuvenating our skin. However, with very moderate success. But now there could be reason for hope. Researchers at Newcastle University discovered in a study that a particular enzyme is associated with smoother and younger skin. The researchers published the results of their study in the journal "Journal of Investigative Dermatology".
Responsible enzyme found for skin aging. Image: Jürgen Fälchle - fotolia Enzyme makes our skin look young, smooth and firm
Many people want an effective way to reduce their wrinkles. Of course, there are already many products that are supposed to reduce wrinkles. But none of these creams can really smooth our wrinkles, even if advertising promises otherwise. Now researchers have discovered an enzyme responsible for our youthful and smooth skin. Newcastle University scientists have discovered that the so-called mitochondrial complex II no longer works properly as people get older. "The enzyme was found in the batteries of our cells," say the researchers. "The mitochondria is crucial to our skin. It makes them look smooth and supple. We now have a specific goal for the development of anti-aging treatments and cosmetic creams that can stop this decline in bio-energy, "explains Professor Mark Birch-Machin of Newcastle University. "We now know what kind of youthful skin is responsible. Thus, we will also be able to develop treatments and cosmetics that increase the activity of the enzyme and help restore lost vitality, "adds the expert.
In old age our so-called bio-energy sinks
As our body gets older, the batteries of our cells become weaker and weaker. As a result, our so-called bio-energy sinks and more harmful free radicals are released, explain the scientists. This process can be seen on our skin, and fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin are easily recognizable effects. With age, a specific decrease in the activity of the metabolic enzyme can be observed, explain the researchers. "Through our study, we now have a specific biomarker for the development of cosmetic creams and anti-aging treatments. Thus, the decline in bio-energy could be slowed down, "say the experts.
Maybe there will be customized creams in the future
The new findings show that there may now be a way to develop customized anti-aging treatments. Thus, differently aged and differently pigmented skin could be optimally treated, add the physicians. The final breakthrough could then be creams that restore the action of the enzyme. The results may also lead to a better understanding of how other organs age in the body. This could provide an opportunity for drug development to treat some age-related diseases, including cancer, the researchers explain.
Complex II activity decreases significantly with age
The activity of the enzyme was measured in 27 subjects, who were between the ages of six and 72 years. Samples were taken from a sun-protected area of the skin, say the physicians. This allowed determination of whether there was a difference in activity associated with increasing age. These techniques have been used to measure the activities of key enzymes in the mitochondria, say the physicians. It was found that the complex II activity decreases significantly with age. The researchers found that the reason for this is the amount of enzyme protein. This gets smaller and smaller as we get older. It has been suggested that mitochondria play an important role in the aging process. But the exact role has remained unclear so far, say the experts. The new study brings us one step closer to understanding how these vital cellular structures affect human aging, the researchers explain. In a study in mice it was found that the complex II activity in the skin is lower in naturally aged mice than in younger mice.