Causal Relationship Between Blood Triglyceride Levels and Age Spots: A Mendelian Randomization Analysis

Objective

This study examined the association between blood triglyceride (TG) levels (TLIB) and age spots (AS).

Methods

We acquired data from the Mendelian randomization (MR) Base database and evaluated the causal association between TLIB and AS.

Results

From genome-wide association studies, we selected 33 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that were significantly associated with TLIB and AS. The inverse variance-weighted (IVW) and weighted median estimation methods showed that TLIB had a protective effect on AS (IVW: β=-0.214, P=0.019, odds ratio [OR]=0.807, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.674-0.966; weighted median: β=-0.277, P=0.032, OR=0.758, 95% CI=0.589-0.977). However, the MR-Egger analysis suggested no causal association (β=-0.234, P=0.085, OR=0.792, 95% CI=0.612-1.024). The greater precision of the weighted median estimation and IVW suggests that our results support a potential causal association between TLIB and AS.

Conclusion

The MR analysis proved that TLIB has a protective effect against AS and that triglycerides have potential preventive and therapeutic effects against AS. However, the specific dose-effect relationship requires further study.

12-Week, Single-Center Study of a Targeted Pigment-Correcting Dark Spot Treatment for Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation and Solar Lentigines

Purpose

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and solar lentigines are dark spots of skin from excessive melanin production due to injury or UV exposure. This 12-week single-center study assessed the efficacy and tolerability of a novel targeted pigment-correcting spot treatment gel suspension cream (Dark Spot Treatment) for improving mild-to-moderate PIH or solar lentigines.

Patients and Methods

Female participants (N = 41) aged 25-65 with mild-to-moderate facial dark spots applied Dark Spot Treatment daily for 12 weeks. Investigators assessed overall hyperpigmentation, skin tone evenness, and dark spot intensity, contrast, and size at Weeks 2, 4, 8, and 12. Participant self-assessments occurred at Weeks 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12. Tolerability was assessed by clinical grading and participant reporting.

Results

Dark Spot Treatment improved overall hyperpigmentation, skin tone evenness, and dark spot intensity and contrast at Weeks 2 through 12, and dark spot size at Weeks 4 through 12 (all p < 0.001 compared to baseline). Participant self-assessments showed high overall satisfaction. Dark Spot Treatment was well tolerated.

Conclusion

The novel pigment-correcting Dark Spot Treatment significantly improved the appearance of PIH and solar lentigines, had high participant satisfaction, and was well tolerated.

An effective hydroquinone alternative for topical skin lightening

BACKGROUND

Many skin lightening preparations containing hydroquinone, kojic acid, arbutin, and deoxyarbutin are toxic to melanocytes.

OBJECTIVE

This research examined a new skin lightening agent from a family of gem difluorocompounds 2-[2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-2-propen-1-yl]-1,3-propanediol that also function as tyrosinase inhibitors. This ingredient does not exhibit melanocyte toxicity yet is capable of inducing skin lightening. This research compared the gem difluorocompound, TFC-1067, to hydroquinone evaluating both tolerability and efficacy for lightening facial dyschromia.

METHOD

48 nonpregnant and non-nursing healthy female subjects age 25-70 years skin types I-IV with mild-to-moderate facial dyschromia were randomized to receive either study product or 2% hydroquinone cream. Subject and investigator tolerability and efficacy assessments were made at baseline, week 4, week 8, and week 12. Dermaspectrophotometer readings from normal skin and a pigmented target area were obtained. All subjects underwent facial photography at each visit.

RESULTS

TFC-1067 and 2% hydroquinone produced statistically significant skin lightening after 8 weeks of use, but only hydroquinone lightened the normal skin. This pattern continued into week 12 where both products significantly lightened dyschromic skin, but hydroquinone also lightened the normal skin, which is not always desirable.

Clinical efficacy of dissolvable microneedles armed with anti-melanogenic compounds to counter hyperpigmentation

BACKGROUND

Hyperpigmentation is a complex physiological process associated with alterations of skin color due to melanin overproduction and distribution. Both intrinsic and extrinsic factors influence discoloration with the involvement of multiple pathways in cooperative manners. Restoring natural skin color requires a multi-targeted approach. Latest advances in anti-melanogenic compounds and microneedle delivery system have presented opportunities for tackling hyperpigmentationsuccessfully.

AIMS

This work was aimed at assessing the dermal tolerability and efficacy of hyaluronic acid-based microneedle patches loaded with anti-melanogenic actives for improvements of skin discoloration.

PATIENTS/METHODS

The test products consist of hyaluronic acid with niacinamide, ascorbic acid 2-glucoside, tranexamic acid, resveratrol, 4-n-butyl-resorcinol, and Halidrys siliquosa extract. In a monocentric 12 weeks clinical trial, the HA-MNs patches were applied to the affected areas of the faces on subjects with hyperpigmented skin. The color properties of the skin were analyzed spectrophotometrically.

RESULTS

The products were tolerated remarkably; none of the subjects informed any primary or cumulative skin responses. Evaluation of color related measurable skin properties provided insight into the general effectiveness: The individual topology measurements showed 51.4% noticeable improvements in hyperpigmented zones, which were also in good agreement with the personal impressions of the subjects determined by questionnaires before and after the treatments.

CONCLUSIONS

The concentrated blends of actives in microneedle patches act in a multi-targeted manner, and they could be worked in a complementary fashion for the improvement of skin color and appearance. The study has established the overall convenience of the HA-MNs with the formulation of anti-melogenic compounds against skin discoloration.

Bio-derived hydroxystearic acid ameliorates skin age spots and conspicuous pores

INTRODUCTION

We report on the preparation and efficacy of 10-hydroxystearic acid (HSA) that improves facial age spots and conspicuous pores.

METHODS

The hydration of oleic acid into HSA was catalyzed by the oleate hydratase from Escherichia coli. Following treatment with HSA, collagen type I and type III was assessed in primary human dermal fibroblasts together with collagen type III, p53 protein levels and sunburn cells (SBC) after UVB irradiation (1 J cm^-2 ) by immunohistochemistry on human ex vivo skin. UVB-induced expression of matrix metalloprotease-1 (MMP-1) was determined from full thickness skin by RT-qPCR. Modification of the fibroblast secretome by HSA was studied by mass-spectrometry-based proteomics. In a full-face, double blind, vehicle-controlled trial HSA was assessed for its effects on conspicuous facial pore size and degree of pigmentation of age spots in Caucasian women over an 8-week period.

RESULTS

HSA was obtained in enantiomeric pure, high yield (≥80%). Collagen type I and type III levels were dose-dependently increased (96% and 244%; P < 0.01) in vitro and collagen type III in ex vivo skin by +57% (P < 0.01) by HSA. HSA also inhibited UVB-induced MMP-1 gene expression (83%; P < 0.01) and mitigated SBC induction (-34% vs. vehicle control) and reduced significantly UV-induced p53 up-regulation (-46% vs. vehicle control; P < 0.01) in irradiated skin. HSA modified the fibroblast secretome with significant increases in proteins associated with the WNT pathway that could reduce melanogenesis and proteins that could modify dermal fibroblast activity and keratinocyte differentiation to account for the alleviation of conspicuous pores. Docking studies in silico and EC50 determination in reporter gene assays (EC50 5.5 × 10^-6  M) identified HSA as a peroxisomal proliferator activated receptor-α (PPARα) agonist. Clinically, HSA showed a statistically significant decrease of surface and volume of skin pores (P < 0.05) after 8 weeks of application and age spots became significantly less pigmented than the surrounding skin (contrast, P < 0.05) after 4 weeks.

CONCLUSION

HSA acts as a PPARα agonist to reduce the signs of age spots and conspicuous pores by significantly modulating the expression of p53, SBC, MMP-1 and collagen together with major changes in secreted proteins that modify keratinocyte, melanocyte and fibroblast cell behavior.