The role of dimethylaminoethanol in cosmetic dermatology

A Nutraceutical Formula Is Effective in Raising the Circulating Vitamin and Mineral Levels in Healthy Subjects: A Randomized Trial

Low levels of nutrient intake are common in industrialized countries. This has negative implications on health and is associated with chronic diseases. Supplementation of vitamins, minerals, and key nutrients to optimal levels may, therefore, be beneficial for individual health and for the health economy. Although the use of supplements has become very common, due to a lack of monitoring, there is very limited data on the efficacy of supplementation with different formulas. In this study, we present the results of a randomized controlled study on the efficacy of a novel formulated nutraceutical, N247, in 250 healthy volunteers aged 26-75 years and a placebo control group (n = 35). The broad-spectrum formulation of N247 includes essential vitamins, minerals, and trace elements that are adequately balanced in regard to synergies and related metabolic functions. Moreover, tolerance, safety, and nutrient availability is an important aspect of daily, long-term use of N247. After 3 months of regular N247 use, levels of vitamins and minerals in serum were significantly increased in the N247 group compared with the control group and a placebo group, with excellent compliance rates. Coupled with additional natural ingredients that aim to increase the potency of the nutrients, N247 may represent a novel and beneficial supplement for individuals with nutritional deficiencies. Clinical Trial Registration:https://clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier: NCT04054505.

Development of a combination therapy with silanols complexed with boron citrate and ablative-fractional laser for treatment of wrinkles and stretch marks

OBJECTIVE

The twenty first century's progress in medicine and cosmetology triggered the search for effective and safe new cosmetics and procedures to fight with such problems as wrinkles or stretch marks. The study aimed to use the synergy of silanols with boron compounds and to develop treatment methods supported by a fractional-ablative laser.

METHODS

Sixty-seven Caucasian people were enrolled in this study: 33 patients with facial and neck wrinkles and 34 patients with stretch marks. Preparations containing methylsilanetriol were pressed into the skin by means of oxygen infusion which were followed by the fractional-ablative laser treatments.

RESULTS

The effectiveness of removal of wrinkles was better if combination therapy was used in the form of transdermal delivery of methylsilanetriol combined with laser therapy. The effectiveness of stretch marks removal by combination therapy was comparable to a two laser treatments and more effective than one laser therapy. Moreover, the use of products based on methylsilanetriol stabilized with boric citrate resulted in shortening the period of regeneration after the treatment with fractional-ablative laser by 29-58%.

CONCLUSION

The gel based on methylsilanetriol developed in this study can be successfully used after all laser treatments, but also those related to skin pricking to accelerate regeneration.

Safety and efficacy of Taminizer D (dimethylglycine sodium salt) as a feed additive for chickens for fattening

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of Taminizer D (dimethylglycine sodium salt) as a feed additive for chickens for fattening, based on a dossier submitted for the modification of the terms of authorisation of the additive. The product is authorised in the European Union for chickens for fattening at the maximum content of 1,000 mg/kg complete feedingstuffs. The applicant proposed the introduction of an additional manufacturing process, which introduces an impurity (dimethylamino‐ethanol (DMAE)) in the additive at concentrations up to 0.09%. The EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) considered that the proposed modification would not substantially affect the previous assessment as related to the safety of the environment and the efficacy of the product. Since the safety of the active substance was established, the current assessment has dealt with the impurity DMAE. Considering the toxicological profile of DMAE, the estimated intake by the target animal and consumers, and making use of the Threshold of Toxicological Concern (TTC) approach, the Panel concluded that Taminizer D, manufactured by the DMAE route, is safe for both chickens for fattening and consumers, up to the maximum level of 1,000 mg/kg feed. The FEEDAP Panel extends its conclusions about Taminizer D produced by the original method to cover also Taminizer D produced by the new DMAE method. There is minimal risk to users from dust produced as a result of normal handling of the additive. Taminizer D is not irritant to skin but may be irritant to eyes; it is regarded as a potential skin sensitiser. The FEEDAP Panel recommended to set a specification for the DMAE content in the additive.

Development of methodologies for dimethylaminoethanol glycolate assay in association with sunscreens in dermocosmetic formulation

DMAE glycolate (DG) and sunscreens have been used associated in anti-aging dermocosmetic formulations. Despite extensive use of these substances, methods for quantification of DG as raw material and in cosmetic formulations, especially when associated, are not described in the literature. RP-HPLC and non-aqueous titration methods, with determination potentiometric end-point (PT), were developed and validated for rapid assay of DG as raw material and in a topic emulsion in association with sunscreens. Both methods are simple, selective, linear, accurate and precise. The PT method was chosen for stability study of DG in the formulation developed. The proposed formulation presented good stability performance as regards aspect, pH, apparent viscosity, and SPF, with less than 5% of DG degradation compared to initial conditions.

Randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, split-face study on the clinical efficacy of Tricutan on skin firmness

Tricutan is a combination product of herbal extracts traditionally used for treatment of skin conditions, together with dimethylaminoethanol. The effectiveness of Tricutan in improving skin firmness and elasticity in photoaged facial skin was examined in a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, split-face study in 28 women, 34-67 years old. Treatment with Tricutan and placebo was given for 4 weeks. Skin firmness and elasticity was evaluated using the speed of propagation of ultrasound shear waves in the skin as end point (Reviscometer RVM 600). The study was completed by 25 women. The Tricutan treatment resulted in a significantly reduced propagation speed indicating increased firmness. There was no immediate effect by Tricutan application on propagation speed. At self evaluation the women evaluated the treatment effect of Tricutan to be significantly better than the treatment effect of placebo. The clinical evaluation also showed Tricutan to give a significantly better treatment result than placebo. Tolerance to Tricutan was generally good. However, three women did not complete the study because of mild irritative contact dermatitis. The results show that Tricutan can increase skin firmness both objectively and subjectively. Further studies are warranted, especially to investigate if Tricutan can delay the need for surgical face-lift procedures.

The antiwrinkle effect of topical concentrated 2-dimethylaminoethanol involves a vacuolar cytopathology

BACKGROUND

The 'cosmeceutical' agent 2-dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) is a tertiary amine found in high concentration in numerous topical antiwrinkle preparations.

OBJECTIVES

We hypothesized that a 337 mmol L(-1) (3%) DMAE reservoir applied to the skin could reproduce the cytopathology induced by other amines by maintaining a millimolar drug concentration within a certain depth of the skin layers, and that vacuolar cell expansion could account for the very rapid effect on the apparent skin fullness.

METHODS

Morphological and functional assays were applied to cultured rabbit dermal fibroblasts treated with tertiary amines in vitro. A morphological verification of the vacuolization caused by topical DMAE was also attempted in vivo using the inner skin of the rabbit ear and in vitro using primary cultures of human cutaneous epithelial cells.

RESULTS

Fibroblasts responded to DMAE (2.5-10 mmol L(-1)) by massive vacuolization (0.5-4 h; phase contrast observations). Triethanolamine, another chemical frequently used topically, was also active in this respect (10 mmol L(-1)). The vacuolar adenosine triphosphatase inhibitor bafilomycin A1 prevented DMAE- or triethanolamine-induced vacuolization; adding bafilomycin A1 or cell washout slowly reversed the established vacuolization induced by DMAE. Further effects of DMAE in cultured fibroblasts included a moderate cytotoxicity (10 mmol L(-1)) that was abated by bafilomycin A1 cotreatment, a concentration-dependent mitotic arrest (2.5 mmol L(-1)) and transient and mild effects on cell ploidy. The epidermis of the rabbit external ear was significantly thickened and exhibited clear perinuclear swelling indicative of vacuolization in response to 3% DMAE (1 h; paraffin tissue sections). Cultured human cutaneous epithelial cells responded to DMAE by vacuolization (inhibited by bafilomycin A1 cotreatment).

CONCLUSIONS

The vacuolar cytopathology induced by concentrated organic amines may be the cellular basis of the antiwrinkle effect of DMAE.

Cosmeceuticals

The aging population and a desire to maintain a youthful appearance have propelled the recent surge in the U.S. cosmeceuticals market. The rapidly growing number of products claiming to diminish fine lines and wrinkles, decrease redness, smooth texture, and fade discoloration has lead to much confusion and misinformation among dermatologists and consumers alike. Cosmeceuticals can be a useful adjunct to prescription medications and office procedures. Therefore, it behooves us as dermatologists to understand the science behind these products to better educate ourselves and our patients. We present an update of the following categories of cosmeceuticals: antioxidants, growth factors, peptides, anti-inflammatories/botanicals, polysaccharides, and pigment-lightening agents.