title: Protective effects of a novel nutritional and phytonutrient blend on ultraviolet radiation-induced skin damage and inflammatory response through aging defense mechanisms.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The human body relies on several aging defense mechanisms (ADMs) to limit damage induced from pro-aging stressors (aging aggressors). However, such protective mechanisms can be compromised, leading to accelerated aging. The skin provides a model to probe the effects of an oral nutritional intervention on ADMs in response to ultraviolet radiation (UVR)-induced damage.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether supplementation with a novel nutritional and phytonutrient blend could protect against UVR-induced skin damage and positively influence facial skin attributes and characteristics by bolstering ADMs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-six healthy, nonsmoking women (40-75 years) with Fitzpatrick skin types I and II were recruited. UVR-induced erythema and the number of apoptotic cells were determined before (pre-) and after 8-week (post-) supplementation. Other clinical variables included skin carotenoid concentrations, facial skin attributes and characteristics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight-week supplementation led to protection against UVR-induced skin damage as evidenced by reductions in erythema at all three minimal erythema doses (MEDs) (9.1 to 7.4 [P = 0.10]; 15.8 to 13.6 [P = 0.02]; and 19.6 to 17.3 [P = 0.01] for one, two, and three MEDs and a reduction in the average number of apoptotic cells [11.3 to 5.3, P < 0.0001] pre- and post-supplementation, respectively). Skin carotenoid concentrations increased from 28 111 Raman intensity units to 38 472 (P < 0.0001) along with noticeable improvements in facial skin attributes and characteristics: elasticity, transepidermal water loss, radiance, texture, and overall appearance (all P < 0.05) following supplementation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Eight weeks of oral supplementation positively impacted ADMs resulting in protection against UVR-induced skin damage and improvements in facial skin attributes and characteristics.
authors.affiliation: Research and Development Department, Nu Skin Enterprises, Provo, UT, USA.
authors.forename: Steven M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.affiliation: Research and Development Department, Nu Skin Enterprises, Provo, UT, USA.
authors.forename: Angela F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Mastaloudis
authors.affiliation: Research and Development Department, Nu Skin Enterprises, Provo, UT, USA.
authors.forename: Shelly N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Hester
authors.affiliation: Research and Development Department, Nu Skin Enterprises, Provo, UT, USA.
authors.forename: Russell
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.affiliation: Research and Development Department, Nu Skin Enterprises, Provo, UT, USA.
authors.forename: Dale
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kern
authors.affiliation: Research and Development Department, Nu Skin Enterprises, Provo, UT, USA.
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Namkoong
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Consulting Services, High Point, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Zoe D
authors.initials: ZD
authors.lastname: Draelos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000378:metabolism; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004548:Elasticity / Q000187:drug effects; D004890:Erythema / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D064209:Phytochemicals / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D065840:Protective Factors; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000187:drug effects*; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena / Q000187:drug effects; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects; D014870:Water Loss, Insensible / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D064209:Phytochemicals; D002338:Carotenoids
keywords: aging aggressors; aging defense mechanisms; apoptosis; erythema; inflammation; photoaging