title: Aloesterol supplementation improves skin elasticity in Japanese men with sunlight-exposed skin: a 12-week double-blind, randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Recently, it was confirmed that the daily oral intake of plant sterols ofAloe veragel (Aloesterol) significantly increases the skin barrier function, moisture, and elasticity in photoprotected skin. This study aimed to investigate whetherAloesterol intake affected skin conditions following sunlight exposure in Japanese men.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the effects of oralAloesterol supplementation on skin conditions in 48 apparently healthy men (age range: 30-59 years; average: 45 years). The subjects were instructed to expose the measurement position of the arms to the sunlight outdoors every day for 12 weeks. The skin parameters were measured at 0 (baseline), 4, 8, and 12 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Depending on the time for the revelation of the sunlight, theb* value and melanin index increased and the skin moisture decreased. After taking anAloesterol tablet daily for 12 weeks, the skin elasticity index (R2, R5, and R7) levels were significantly higher than the baseline value. There were no differences between the groups in these skin elasticity values. In the subgroup analysis of subjects aged <46 years, the change in the R5 and R7 was significantly higher in theAloegroup than in the placebo group at 8 weeks (P=0.0412 andP=0.0410, respectively). There was a difference in the quantity of sun exposure between each subject, and an additional clinical study that standardizes the amount of ultraviolet rays is warranted. NoAloesterol intake-dependent harmful phenomenon was observed during the intake period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Aloesterol ingestion increased skin elasticity in the photodamaged skin of men aged <46 years.
authors.affiliation: Functional Food Ingredients Department, Food Ingredients & Technology Institute, Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd., Zama, Kanagawa.
authors.forename: Miyuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Wakayama Medical University, Kimiidera, Wakayama, Japan.
authors.forename: Yuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.affiliation: Functional Food Ingredients Department, Food Ingredients & Technology Institute, Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd., Zama, Kanagawa.
authors.forename: Eriko
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Misawa
authors.affiliation: Functional Food Ingredients Department, Food Ingredients & Technology Institute, Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd., Zama, Kanagawa.
authors.forename: Kazumi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nabeshima
authors.affiliation: Functional Food Ingredients Department, Food Ingredients & Technology Institute, Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd., Zama, Kanagawa.
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saito
authors.affiliation: Functional Food Ingredients Department, Food Ingredients & Technology Institute, Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd., Zama, Kanagawa.
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamauchi
authors.affiliation: Functional Food Ingredients Department, Food Ingredients & Technology Institute, Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd., Zama, Kanagawa.
authors.forename: Fumiaki
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Wakayama Medical University, Kimiidera, Wakayama, Japan.
authors.forename: Fukumi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Furukawa
keywords: Aloe sterol; Aloe vera; Japanese men; photodamage; skin elasticity