The use of Botulinum toxin-a injection for facial wrinkles: a histological and immunohistochemical evaluation.
Botulinum toxin (BTX)-A has been used for years in the reduction of facial wrinkles; however, histological and immunohistochemical changes after its use were not previously investigated. To evaluate histological and immunohistochemical changes after BTX-A injection for facial wrinkles, sixteen volunteers, with wrinkles on the upper third of the face, were subjected to single injection of BTX-A. Skin biopsy specimens were obtained from peri-orbital wrinkle site (crow's feet area) before and after 3 months of BTX-A injection. Using histological and immunohistochemical evaluation coupled with computerized morphometric analysis, measurement of epidermal thickness, wrinkle depth and width as well as quantitative evaluation of collagen types I and III and elastin was performed for skin biopsies. After BTX-A injections, there were significant increase in wrinkle width and granular layer thickness (P < 0.001), while the other histometrical measures as well as the immunohistochemical expression of collagen types I and III and elastin showed no significant difference (P > 0.05). However, collagen fibers showed better organization and orientation after BTX-A injection. The histological changes observed after BTX-A injection for facial wrinkles may help in better understanding of its mechanism of action.
Department of Dermatology, STD's and Andrology, Al-Minya University, Al-Minya, Egypt.
Moetaz
M
El-Domyati
Department of Dermatology, STD's and Andrology, Al-Minya University, Al-Minya, Egypt.
Sameh K
SK
Attia
Department of Dermatology, STD's and Andrology, Al-Minya University, Al-Minya, Egypt.
Ashraf E
AE
El-Sawy
Department of Dermatology, STD's and Andrology, Al-Minya University, Al-Minya, Egypt.
Noha H
NH
Moftah
Department of Dermatology, STD's and Andrology, Al-Minya University, Al-Minya, Egypt.
Ghada A
GA
Nasif
Department of Dermatology, STD's and Andrology, Al-Minya University, Al-Minya, Egypt.
Walid
W
Medhat
Department of Dermatology, STD's and Andrology, Al-Minya University, Al-Minya, Egypt.
Belkais
B
Marwan
D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000378:metabolism; D024061:Collagen Type III / Q000378:metabolism; D004549:Elastin / Q000378:metabolism; D004817:Epidermis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology
D024042:Collagen Type I; D024061:Collagen Type III; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D004549:Elastin; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A
botulinum toxin-A; collagen; elastin; rejuvenation; skin aging; wrinkles