title: Role of antioxidants in dermal aging: an in vitro study by q-RT-PCR.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44100, Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Avantaggiato
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bertuzzi
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Vitiello
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Iannucci
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pasin
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pascali
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cervelli
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Carinci
mesh_terms: D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000502:physiology*; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects*; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D005947:Glucose / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007271:Injections, Intradermal; D057947:Parenteral Nutrition Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D012996:Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D000975:Antioxidants; D004573:Electrolytes; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D057947:Parenteral Nutrition Solutions; D012996:Solutions; C545824:amino-acid, glucose, and electrolyte solution; D005947:Glucose; D000111:Acetylcysteine