title: Ingested hyaluronan moisturizes dry skin.
abstract: Hyaluronan (HA) is present in many tissues of the body and is essential to maintain moistness in the skin tissues, which contain approximately half the body's HA mass. Due to its viscosity and moisturizing effect, HA is widely distributed as a medicine, cosmetic, food, and, recently marketed in Japan as a popular dietary supplement to promote skin moisture. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study it was found that ingested HA increased skin moisture and improved treatment outcomes for patients with dry skin. HA is also reported to be absorbed by the body distributed, in part, to the skin. Ingested HA contributes to the increased synthesis of HA and promotes cell proliferation in fibroblasts. These effects show that ingestion of HA moisturizes the skin and is expected to improve the quality of life for people who suffer from dry skin. This review examines the moisturizing effects of dry skin by ingested HA and summarizes the series of mechanisms from absorption to pharmacological action.
authors.forename: Chinatsu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kawada
authors.forename: Takushi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: Hideto
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.affiliation: R&D Division, Kewpie Corporation, 2-5-7, Sengawa-cho, Chofu-shi, Tokyo, Japan. ryosuke_matsuoka@kewpie.co.jp.
authors.forename: Ryosuke
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Matsuoka
authors.forename: Wakako
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sakamoto
authors.forename: Wataru
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Odanaka
authors.forename: Toshihide
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamasaki
authors.forename: Tomoyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kanemitsu
authors.forename: Yasunobu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Masuda
authors.forename: Osamu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Urushibata
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D011788:Quality of Life; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects*; D017592:Skin Care; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D006820:Hyaluronic Acid