[Effect And Mechanism Of Astaxanthin On The Aging Of High Glucose-Treated Human Skin Fibroblasts]
Our skin, the body’s largest organ, is constantly exposed to various factors that contribute to aging. While sunlight is a well-known culprit, did you know that high sugar levels in the body can also accelerate skin aging? When skin cells, called fibroblasts (which are responsible for producing collagen and elastin, the proteins that keep our skin firm and elastic), are exposed to too much sugar, they experience something called oxidative stress. This is like rust forming on metal, where unstable molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS) damage the cells and their components, leading to premature aging signs like wrinkles and loss of elasticity.
Recent research has shed light on a natural compound called astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant found in certain algae, salmon, and shrimp. This compound appears to offer a protective shield for our skin cells against the damaging effects of high sugar. Studies show that when skin fibroblasts are treated with astaxanthin, their survival rate improves significantly even under high glucose conditions. Astaxanthin achieves this by acting as a potent scavenger of those harmful reactive oxygen species, effectively reducing the “rusting” process in the cells. Furthermore, it boosts the activity of the skin’s natural defense system, increasing levels of important antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), which work to neutralize damaging free radicals. By mitigating oxidative stress and enhancing these protective mechanisms, astaxanthin helps maintain the health and function of fibroblasts, thereby supporting the skin’s ability to stay youthful and resilient against sugar-induced aging.
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