Effects of antioxidants in the protection of infrared radiation-induced matrix metalloproteinase-1 in human dermal fibroblast

Author: Samara Eberlin

Published at: October 08, 2014

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 70(5) Supplement 1, AB155, 2014.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2014.01.644
Eberlin S, Pereira AFC, Polettini AJ, Weisz LTM, Mendes C, Lage R, Costa A.

Physiological doses of infrared A radiation (IR-A) lead to a disturbance of the dermal extracellular matrix by upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and decreased antioxidant enzyme activity. As such, infrared induces cytotoxicity, DNA damage, and oxidative stress. Even though no specific chemical or physical filters directed against IR-A are available, there is an alternative that can provide broader sunscreen protection against photodamage, using antioxidant ingredients. In this study, we evaluated the in vitro effects of two formulations containing the antioxidant ingredients FThe and FCar in the prevention of IR-A-induced damage in human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) through MMP-1 production. Our results demonstrated that irradiation with infrared A resulted in a significant upregulation of MMP-1 production, 1.7-fold in relation to the non-irradiated group. FCar produced a significant reduction in the release of MMP-1 by human fibroblasts compared to the IR-A group. More pronounced effects were observed with FThe, which promoted reductions of up to 1.35-fold in the levels of MMP-1 when compared to the IR-A group. The formulations containing FCar and FThe are suitable for protecting against IR-A-induced MMP-1 upregulation in vitro in human dermal fibroblast cell culture. These effects can be attributed, at least in part, to the known antioxidant activity of these compounds, although the precise mechanisms remain to be clarified.