Author: Hoppe U; Bergemann J; Diembeck W; Ennen J; Gohla S;
Harris I; Jacob J; Kielholz J; Mei W; Pollet D; Schachtschabel D;
Sauermann G; Schreiner V; Stab F; Steckel F
Author affiliation: Paul Gerson Unna Research Center, Beiersdorf
AG, Hamburg, Germany.
Publication date & source: Coen, Biofactors, 9(2-4):371-8
The processes of aging and photoaging are associated with an increase
in cellular oxidation. This may be in part due to a decline in the levels
of the endogenous cellular antioxidant coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone, CoQ10).
Therefore, we have investigated whether topical application of CoQ10 has
the beneficial effect of preventing photoaging. We were able to
demonstrate that CoQ10 penetrated into the viable layers of the epidermis
and reduce the level of oxidation measured by weak photon emission.
Furthermore, a reduction in wrinkle depth following CoQ10 application was
also shown. CoQ10 was determined to be effective against UVA mediated
oxidative stress in human keratinocytes in terms of thiol depletion,
activation of specific phosphotyrosine kinases and prevention of oxidative
DNA damage. CoQ10 was also able to significantly suppress the expression
of collagenase in human dermal fibroblasts following UVA irradiation.
These results indicate that CoQ10 has the efficacy to prevent many of the
detrimental effects of photoaging.
