[Effect And Mechanism Of Astaxanthin On The Aging Of High Glucose-Treated Human Skin Fibroblasts]
Our skin is constantly exposed to various factors that can accelerate aging, and one often overlooked culprit is high sugar levels in the body. Recent research has shed light on how elevated glucose can harm our skin cells, specifically the fibroblasts responsible for producing collagen and elastin, which keep our skin firm and elastic. When these cells are exposed to too much sugar, they experience increased oxidative stress, a process where harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS) damage cell components. This damage leads to a decline in cell survival and a reduction in the body’s natural antioxidant defenses, essentially making the skin cells age faster.
However, a promising natural compound called astaxanthin has shown remarkable potential in counteracting these effects. This powerful antioxidant, found in certain algae and seafood, was found to significantly improve the survival of skin cells exposed to high sugar. It achieved this by reducing the levels of damaging ROS and boosting the activity of the skin’s own protective antioxidant enzymes. Furthermore, astaxanthin helped to normalize the expression of certain proteins linked to cellular aging and activated a crucial cellular pathway known as Nrf2/HO-1. This pathway is a key player in the body’s defense against oxidative stress and inflammation. These findings suggest that this natural compound could be a valuable tool in protecting our skin from sugar-induced aging by enhancing its natural defenses and reducing cellular damage.
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