DIFFERENTIAL EFFECTS OF LOW-DOSE AND HIGH-DOSE BETA-CAROTENE SUPPLEMENTION AND THE SIGNS OF PHOTOAGING AND TYPE I PROCOLLAGEN GENE EXPRESSION IN HUMAN SKIN IN VIVOCHO S, LEE DH, WON C ET AL.

Danielle Selden and Siona Sammartino

Vit A Background

Retinoids (animal tissues) Retinol, Retinal, Retinoic Acid, Retinyl Esters

Pro-Vitamin A Carotenoids (plant derived)

Beta-Carotene Beta-Cryptoxanthin Alpha-Carotene

Relevant Functions: ***Antioxidant Regulation of Gene Expression (RA)

Purpose

Rationale: Researchers and cosmetic companies are looking for

food constituents that can slow cutaneous aging. Previous studies (antioxidant vs pro-oxidant roles)

Purpose: To establish how two different dosages of β-carotene affect Photoaging by measuring

Facial wrinkles Elasticity UV-Induced DNA Damage Collagen Production and Degradation Visual Changes

Approach/Methods/Study Design Methods:

In-vivo Subjects: 30, healthy females between the ages of 49-68

Mean age 56 Randomized to two groups

30 mg/day of beta-carotene 90 mg/day of beta-carotene Baseline status used for control

Duration=90 Days Exclusion Criteria:

2 weeks prior: no use of topical corticosteroids or retinoids 1 month prior: systemic steroid, vitamin intake, phototherapy Smokers

Approach/Methods/Study Design Measurements

At Baseline & Completion Facial Wrinkles & Elasticity Measured

Objectively Photographs of face and visiometer technology

Facial Erythema and Pigmentation Buttock Skin

Type 1 procollagen, matrix metalloproteinase-1, fibrillin-1 mRNA levels and UV-induced thymine dimer and 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine formation

Other Tools

Result Highlights

29 subjects completed study Facial wrinkles and elasticity were improved in low-

dose beta-carotene group For Wrinkles

Measured by Skin Replica and Visiometer For Elasticity

Cutometer Clinically visible in some

Oxidative damage in UV-Irradiated skin was reduced in low-dose beta-carotene group Assessed via 8-OHdG immunostaining Reduced staining in low-dose group

Facial Wrinkle Results

Baseline 90 Days

8-OHdG Staining

30 mg/day 90 mg/day

Baseline

90 Days

Author’s Conclusions and Implications

Wrinkles were improved in 3/5 categories for low dose groups only Low dose beta-carotene showed anti-oxidant effects High dose is inconclusive

Need further study Overall, Prevention and repair of photoaging can

be achieved by only 30 mg/day of beta-carotene, as shown by reduced wrinkles, increased elasticity in photoaged facial skin, up-regulated pro-collagen expression and reduced UV induced cutaneous DNA damage

Doses at 90 mg/day may have deleterious effects

Limitations

Lack of tissue serum and tissue beta-carotene levels pre and post-supplementation

Not a Double Blinded Study No Placebo

Diet? Fat intake?

Small sample size (30 participants) Population?

Conclusions

Too many limitations Author’s did acknowledge this

Further research needed for pro-oxidant effects of high dose beta-carotene Author’s acknowledged this Sets the stage for further research

Anti-oxidant effects of lose dose beta-carotene seems to be effective

Whole foods diet vs. supplementation

Questions?

Q: What primary function of vitamin A can explain the outcomes of this study?

Q: After hearing the results of this study, would you promote the usage of beta-carotene supplementation in low-doses in your practice? Why or why not?

References

Cho S, Lee DH, Won C et al. Differential effects of low-dose and high-dose beta-carotene supplementation on the signs of photoaging and type I procollagen gene expression in human skin in vivo. Dermatology. 2010;221:160-171.