elastin and Striae-Distensae

The leaves of Tasmannia lanceolata mainly contain polygodial that is known to exhibit a range of biological functions including anti-inflammatory effects.. These studies aimed to assess the effects of Tasmannia lanceolata extract (TLE) on skin and more particularly on stretch marks in women.. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study was carried out on 29 women, aged from 25 to 60 years, to investigate the effects of TLE on stabilized stretch marks. TLE and placebo products were topically applied daily for 8 weeks. Skin roughness and firmness of stretch marks were assessed by 2D and 3D photograph processing and analyses. Dermal density and thickness were evaluated using ultrasound, while stretch mark conditions (length, color, and depth) were determined by clinical scoring. Matricial proteins (pro-collagen I and elastin) and pro-matricial factors, like TGF-β concentrations, were quantified from cultures of human skin explants presenting stretch marks, treated with TLE or vehicle control.. Skin roughness of stretch marks was significantly reduced in the TLE group after 8 weeks of treatment. Skin firmness of stretch marks was significantly increased in the TLE group after 4 weeks of treatment, and this improved effect was maintained until the end of the study. Dermal density and thickness were significantly increased in the TLE group compared to the placebo group. Furthermore, TLE restored the dermal condition of the stretch mark skin, up to normal skin levels. In addition, pro-collagen I and elastin concentrations were found to be higher in the TLE-treated stretch mark skin explants compared to the untreated ones, associated with higher quantities of TGF-β production.. These results revealed that TLE could help improve the aspect of stabilized stretch marks in women by restoring the matricial environment.

Topics: Adult; Elastin; Extracellular Matrix; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Plant Extracts; Skin; Striae Distensae

Striae distensae (SD) are cutaneous lesions often presenting post-pregnancy with atrophy and flattening of the epidermis. SD is poorly understood and treatment remains ill-defined. Our aim was to assess the effect of topical application of silicone gel compared with placebo on SD using non-invasive devices and by immunohistochemical analysis of sequential tissue biopsies in a double-blind controlled trial. Twenty volunteers massaged silicone and placebo gels into separate sides of the abdomen, daily for 6 weeks. Objective non-invasive imaging plus subjective self-assessment of SD were performed on days 0, 21, 42, 90, in addition to tissue biopsies on days 0 and 42. Non-invasive imaging demonstrated an increase in melanin and a decrease in haemoglobin, collagen and pliability over the 6-week period on both sides. Additionally, collagen levels in SD were significantly higher (p value = 0.001) and melanin levels lower (p value = 0.048) with silicone gel compared with placebo. Histological analysis revealed epidermal flattening with a reduction of rete ridges in SD on both sides. Vascular count significantly decreased with placebo gel (p = 0.002). Corroborating the clinical results, melanin levels increased, whilst collagen type 1 and elastin decreased on both sides. Non-invasive techniques showed that the application of silicone gel increased collagen levels and reduced pigmentation compared with placebo. However, both clinical and histological data revealed that melanin increased whilst collagen, elastin and pliability decreased over the 6-week period with both gels. Furthermore, vascularity significantly decreased with placebo gel. These findings provide preliminary evidence of the utility of topical gels in the clinical management of SD.

Topics: Administration, Topical; Adolescent; Adult; Collagen; Diagnostic Imaging; Double-Blind Method; Elastin; Female; Gels; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Melanins; Middle Aged; Skin; Spectrophotometry; Striae Distensae; Young Adult

Various treatment modalities have been applied to treat striae alba (SA) with low satisfaction rate. Fractional microneedling radiofrequency (FMR) provides deep dermal coagulation, thereby inducing collagen synthesis and tissue tightening. The addition of platelet-derived lyophilized growth factors may add to the effect of FMR.. To evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of FMR alone or combined with lyophilized growth factors in the treatment of SA.. In this left-right comparative study, 25 patients suffering from SA on the abdomen received four sessions of FMR with lyophilized growth factors on one side and with saline (as placebo) on the other side at 4 weeks interval. Photographic and biopsy documentation of the progress of the SA was carried out before the start of the treatment and 4 weeks after the last session. Calculation of the width of SA before treatment and after 4 sessions was done by Adobe Photoshop CS6.. There was a significant improvement in SA width after treatment in both the lyophilized growth factors (P = <.0001) and placebo sides (P = <.0001), the lyophilized growth factors being superior (P = .002). Patient satisfaction was more on the lyophilized growth factors (LGF) side (P = .034). Erythema and hyperpigmentation were less on the lyophilized growth factors side. Histopathologically, both showed improvement with no difference between LGF and placebo (epidermal thickness (P = .456), collagen content (P = .297), elastin content (P = .239)).. The combination of FMR and lyophilized growth factors improves SA outcome.

Topics: Elastin; Erythema; Humans; Needles; Patient Satisfaction; Radiofrequency Ablation; Striae Distensae; Treatment Outcome

Striae distensae, commonly known as stretch marks, are cutaneous lesions that accompany the hormonal upheavals of the major stages of life: puberty and pregnancy. Stretch marks occur in 90% of women, and they appear as red or purple lines that slowly fade to pale lines on the skin. There have been few studies regarding stretch mark origins, and new preventive and corrective treatments are needed.. The aim of this work was to understand the primary genes and proteins involved in the regulation of striae compared to normal skin and to identify the differentially expressed genes and biochemical aspects of SA and SR Importantly, this is the first published study to use a molecular high-throughput approach combined with in vivo evaluation.. In this study, we analyzed the molecular differences between skin with and without stretch marks (rubra [SR] and alba [SA]) of female volunteers using DNA microarray (Whole Human Genome Microarray Kit, 4×44 K, Agilent Technologies) analyses of cutaneous biopsies (2 mm) and in vivo confocal Raman spectroscopy of selected buttock regions, a technique recently introduced as a noninvasive skin evaluation method.. We identified gene expression alterations related to ECM, cellular homeostasis, and hormones such as secretoglobulins. Spectral analyses of collagen, fibrillin, and glycosaminoglycans were conducted by Raman spectroscopy at different skin depths. The main differences observed when comparing skin with and without stretch marks were at depths between 75 and 95 μm, corresponding to the dermal-epidermal junction and dermis regions and showing differences between normal skin and stretched skin regarding collagen, collagen hydration, and elastin fibers.. The results obtained by RNA and protein analyses are complementary and show that significant changes occur in the skin affected by stretch marks. These results suggest new strategies and opportunities to treat this skin disorder and for the development of new and eficiente cosmetic products.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Biopsy; Collagen; Elastin; Female; Gene Expression Profiling; Gene Expression Regulation; Healthy Volunteers; Humans; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; Skin; Spectrum Analysis, Raman; Striae Distensae; Young Adult

Striae have been reported to be one of the most common skin lesions and a commonly encountered esthetic problem.. The aim of this research was to examine elastin gene polymorphism (rs7787362, ELN) and collagen type III alpha 1 polymorphism (rs1800255, COL3A1) among polish woman population with SD in comparison with women without the lesions and to verify these polymorphisms as risk factors for SD.. Seventy female students (35 with striae (the mean age 23.9 years, SD 1.2 years) and 35 without these lesions (22.9 years, SD 1.7 years)) were included in the study. The subjects were asked to fill out a questionnaire including questions concerning risk factors for SD and had a cheek swabbed for cells for DNA isolation.. Analysis of polymorphisms of elastin gene (rs7787362) and COL3A1 gene (rs1800255) showed that women with SD and without these lesions did not differ in these aspects. Polymorphism rs7787362 was also analyzed in relation to SD in different locations, and showed no differences.. In conclusion, we found that there are some clinical factors that reduced the risk of SD: history of intended weight loss, negative family history of SD, and lower BMI. Gene polymorphisms analysis in patients with SD may help to establish the etiology of these lesions and to target the therapy. Analysis of polymorphisms of elastin gene (rs7787362) did not show differences in allele distribution between women with and without SD. Polymorphisms of COL3A1 gene (rs1800255) also did not differ between the examined groups.

Topics: Adult; Body Mass Index; Case-Control Studies; Collagen Type III; Elastin; Female; Humans; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Risk Factors; Striae Distensae; Surveys and Questionnaires; Weight Loss; Young Adult

Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), a known enhancer of collagen deposition, has also been identified as an inhibitor of elastogenesis.. Present studies explored whether and how the L-ascorbic acid derivative (+) sodium L-ascorbate (SA) would affect production of collagen and elastic fibers in cultures of fibroblasts derived from normal human skin and dermal fat, as well as in explants of normal human skin, stretch-marked skin and keloids.. Effects of SA on the extracellular matrix production were assessed quantitatively by PCR analyses, western blots, biochemical assay of insoluble elastin and by immuno-histochemistry. We also evaluated effects of SA on production of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and phosphorylation of IGF-I and insulin receptors.. SA, applied in 50-200 μM concentrations, stimulates production of both collagen and elastic fibers in all tested cultures. Moreover, combination of SA with a proline hydroxylase inhibitor induces a beneficial remodelling in explants of dermal scars, resulting in the inhibition of collagen deposition and induction of new elastogenesis. Importantly, we revealed that SA stimulates elastogenesis only after intracellular influx of non-oxidized ascorbate anions (facilitated by the sodium-dependent ascorbate transporter), that causes reduction of intracellular ROS, activation of c-Src tyrosine kinase and the enhancement of IGF-1-induced phosphorylation of the IGF-1 receptor that ultimately triggers elastogenic signalling pathway.. Our results endorse the use of this potent stimulator of collagen and elastin production in the treatment of wrinkled and stretch-marked skin. They also encourage inclusion of SA into therapeutic combinations with collagenogenesis inhibitors to prevent formation of dermal scars and keloids.

Topics: Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Biopsy; Collagen; Elasticity; Elastin; Extracellular Matrix; Female; Fibroblasts; Humans; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; Keloid; Organ Culture Techniques; Phosphorylation; Prolyl-Hydroxylase Inhibitors; Reactive Oxygen Species; Receptor, IGF Type 1; Regeneration; Skin; Striae Distensae; Tropoelastin

Topics: Abdominal Wall; Adult; Antibodies, Antinuclear; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Bevacizumab; Biopsy; Brain Neoplasms; Dexamethasone; Disease Progression; Drug Eruptions; Drug Interactions; Elastin; Etoposide; Fatal Outcome; Glioblastoma; Humans; Male; Neoplasm Staging; Ribonucleoproteins; Skin; Skin Ulcer; Striae Distensae