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Role of Antioxidants in Dermal Aging: An In Vitro Study by q-RT-PCR

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Abstract

Background

Reactive oxygen species production is the final step in skin aging. These unstable molecules can damage and destroy DNA, proteins, and membrane phospholipids. The aim of this study was to test the in vitro effect of an antioxidant precursor, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), on human dermal fibroblasts. NAC alone and a solution of NAC and amino acids together, used in aesthetic medicine as intradermal injection treatment, were tested.

Methods

The expression levels of some connective related genes (HAS1, HYAL1, ELN, ELANE, DSP, GDF6, and IGF1) were analyzed on cultures of dermal fibroblasts using real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (real time RT-PCR).

Results

All genes were upregulated after 24 h of treatment.

Conclusions

An interesting effect of gene induction by administration of NAC and amino acids in vitro was demonstrated. Upregulation of elastin-, hyaluronic acid-, and GDF6-encoding genes supports the evidence of clinical improvement induced by NAC biostimulation in the prevention and correction of skin aging.

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Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44100, Ferrara, Italy

    A. Avantaggiato & F. Carinci

  2. Master in Aesthetic Medicine, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy

    G. Bertuzzi, U. Vitiello, G. Iannucci & M. Pasin

  3. Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy

    M. Pascali & V. Cervelli

Authors
  1. A. Avantaggiato
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  2. G. Bertuzzi
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  3. U. Vitiello
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  4. G. Iannucci
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  5. M. Pasin
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  6. M. Pascali
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  7. V. Cervelli
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  8. F. Carinci
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to F. Carinci.

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Cite this article

Avantaggiato, A., Bertuzzi, G., Vitiello, U. et al. Role of Antioxidants in Dermal Aging: An In Vitro Study by q-RT-PCR. Aesth Plast Surg 38, 1011–1016 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-014-0380-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-014-0380-9

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