Key points from article :
Sunburn is a major cause of premature aging in skin, skin cancer, and other skin problems associated with aging.
Classic sun creams do not penetrate the skin where the long-lasting damage occurs due to UV radiation.
Found a new way to protect the deeper layers of skin using two compounds: AP39 and AP123.
These molecules generate minute amounts of hydrogen sulfide to prevent skin aging caused by sun exposure.
“By protecting mitochondria, compound preserve and upregulate the protective mechanisms by which mitochondria control inflammation, protect cells and prevent tissue destruction,” - Matt Whiteman a co-senior author.
Prevented activation of skin-degrading collagenase enzymes as well as subsequent skin damage and skin aging.
Compounds only regulated energy production, PGC-1α and Nrf2 in skin that was exposed to UVA.
A novel approach to treating skin that was damaged by UV radiation, and could potentially reverse, as well as limit, that damage.
Long term implications of this work could be medical as well as cosmetic, where protecting skin from UV light is important.
Testing newer and more potent molecules using newer approaches via MitoRx Therapeutics.
Reference: “Mitochondria-targeted hydrogen sulfide delivery molecules protect against UVA-induced photoaging in dermal fibroblasts, and in mouse skin in vivo” by Miss Jinapath Lohakul, Miss Saowanee Jeayeng, Dr. Anyamanee Chaiprasongsuk, Mrs. Roberta Torregrossa, Dr. Mark Wood, Dr. Malinee Saelim, Dr. Weerawon Thangboonjit, Prof. Matthew Whiteman and Prof. Uraiwan Panich, 8 July 2021, Antioxidant and Redox Signaling. DOI: 10.1089/ars.2020.8255
