Low molecular weight antioxidants and their role in skin ageing.
There is increasing evidence that reactive oxygen species play a pivotal role in the process of ageing. The skin, as the outermost barrier of the body, is exposed to various exogenous sources of oxidative stress, in particular UV-irradiation. These are believed to be responsible for the extrinsic type of skin ageing, termed photo-ageing. It therefore seems reasonable to try to increase levels of protective low molecular weight antioxidants through a diet rich in fruits and vegetables or by direct topical application. Indeed, various in vitro and animal studies have proved that low molecular weight antioxidants, especially vitamins C and E, ascorbate and tocopherol, as well as lipoic acid, exert protective effects against oxidative stress. However, controlled long-term studies on the efficacy of low molecular weight antioxidants in the prevention or treatment of skin ageing in humans are still lacking.
Podda
M
M
Department of Dermatology, J. W. Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany. podda@em.uni-frankfurt.de
Grundmann-Kollmann
M
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008970:Molecular Weight; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects
D000975:Antioxidants; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species