Received: Dec 30, 2011
Accepted: Feb. 1, 2012
Published online: Feb. 29, 2012
Original Article
Effect of Consumption of a Cassis Polysaccharide-Containing Drink on Skin
Function: a Double Blind Randomized Controlled Trial of 9-Week Treatment
Yoshikazu Yonei 1), Hiroshi Ashigai 2), Mari Ogura 1), Masayuki Yagi 1), Yasuji Kawachi 2), Takaaki Yanai
2)
1) Anti-Aging Medical Research Center and Glycation Stress Research Center, Graduate School of Life and Medical Sciences,
Doshisha University
2) Kirin Holdings Company, Limited
Abstract
Objective: The effect of cassis (Ribes nigrum L.) juice consumption, containing cassis polysaccharides (CAPS), on the skin was
investigated in a randomized controlled trial over nine weeks.
Methods: In healthy women (n=36, age 49.2±5.4 years), who presented with a low minimum erythema dose (MED) value, assigned
to one of two cassis groups (polysaccharide (CAPS) content cassis juice: 6.0, 12.5 mL) or placebo control group, the following
parameters were assessed: for skin elasticity, water-content retention ability, color tone, ultra violet (UV) damage, and catalase (CAT)
activity.
Results: Patients reported improvements in several subjective symptoms (“stiffness in shoulder”, a “palpitation”, and “dropsy”),
although other subjective assessments did not change or did not differ between the test and control groups. After nine weeks
consumption, several objective assessments of skin condition (pore-area, silverfish, freckles and wrinkles) did not differ between
control and dose groups; skin water transpiration, MED and CAT Index differed between control and dose groups.
Conclusion: The present study found intake of cassis juice containing CAPS might improve several subjective and objective
measures of skin condition, such as skin transpiration rate and resistance to UV damage. These changes may be caused by changes
in antioxidation capability.
KEY WORDS: Ribes nigrum L., transepidermal water loss (TEWL), catalase, ultra violet, minimal erythema dose (MED)
Method
Introduction
Cassis (Ribes nigrum L.) fr uit contains a variety of
organic ingredients, such as hydroxycinnamic acid 1) and
polysaccharides 2) , that stimulate the immune system, as
well as polyphenols, such as anthocyanin and flavonol, that
have antioxidative properties 1). We have reported that cassis
polysaccharides (CAPS) may effect skin condition,and thus
might be useful as an Anti-Aging Medicine 3-5).
We have repor ted improvements in subjective QOL
symptoms, particularly those pertaining to skin condition,
and decreases in diastolic blood pressure following cassis
consumption 3). Measures of blood vessel function and body
surface temperature improved 4).
The mechanisms underlying these physiological responses
are unknown, but previous research has found that cassis
consumption inhibits expression of genes of α-adrenoceptor,
thromboxane A2 receptor and calcium (Ca) channel. These genes
control the pathway of Ca influx into vascular smooth muscle 5).
Taken together, this evidence suggests that cassis juice
consumption may moderate gene expression in vascular
endothelial cells.
Here, we conducted a double-blind study to evaluate the
effect of cassis juice on subjective and objective measures of
ski condition, including skin resilience, moisture retention, and
resistance to UV damage.
Anti-Aging Medicine 9 (1) : 34-42, 2012
(c) Japanese Society of Anti-Aging Medicine
Subjects
A sample of fifty healthy women volunteers, age 35 to
50, without skin melanism, skin phototype of II and III were
selected by using the questionnaire for skin phototypes and
skin condition tested in an initial screening from the more than
70 initial voluntary participants .
Volunteers were assessed for sensitivity to sunbur n
following Fitzpatrick’s classification 6), and those with Skin
phototype I, (highly sensitive) were excluded from the study.
Each volunteer’s skin was checked for melanin level, erythema,
and the color difference measurement. Fifty samples and
performed the below-mentioned ultra-violet (UV) irradiation
to the direction beyond ITA-degree (The Individual Tyoplogy
Angle) 28 degree.
Skin melanin and erythema levels were measured with a
Mexameter (MX18; Courage & Khazaka Electric Gmbh, Köln,
Germany) 7). Skin color difference (L*a*b*) was measured
with a spectral-colorimetry meter (CM-2600d; Konica Minolta
Sensing, Sakai-city, Osaka, Japan) 8) . ITA-degrees were
calculated from the formula:
34
Prof. Yoshikazu Yonei, M.D., Ph.D.
Anti-Aging Medical Research Center, Graduate School of Life and Medical Sciences Doshisha University
1-3, Tatara Miyakodani, Kyotanabe city, Kyoto Prefecture 610-0321, Japan
Tel: +81-774-65-6382 / Fax: +81-774-65-6394 / E-mail: yyonei@mail.doshisha.ac.jp
Effect of Cassis Polysaccharides (CAPS) on Skin Function
Test design
ITA°= [Arc Tangent (( L* – 50 )/b* )] 180/3.1416
and are equivalent to:
Very bright ITA-degree >55°
Bright
ITA-degree 41–55°
Moderate ITA-degree 28–41°
Suntan ITA-degree 10–28°
Brown
ITA-degree –30–10°
Black
ITA<degree –30°
The trial was designed as a double-blind dose controlled
trial with three groups: low-dose (LD), high-dose (HD)
and placebo control groups. All groups were provided with
sufficient drink to provide a daily CAPS intake of: control, 0
mg/day; LD group, 62.5 mg/day; HD group, 125 mg/day.
Volunteers were instructed to drink one bottle (50 ml) of
the test drink daily after breakfast for nine weeks, or at the
time breakfast was usually taken if breakfast was not eaten.
Volunteers recorded test product consumption, meals, activity
and lifestyle in a diary during the trial period. The compliance
rate for consumption of the test product was100.0% for the
control, 99.9% LD, and 99.3% HD groups, and the group mean
was 99.7%.
At the beginning and end of the trial period, skin response
to UV (ultraviolet-irradiation) skin condition were tested.
Subjects evaluated subjective skin condition using the
Anti-Aging QOL Common Questionnaire (AAQol) 3-5,7,8).
Volunteers were instructed to avoid overeating, excessive
exercise, and to ensure they obtained adequate sleep during the
trial period. We assume that lifestyle and food consumption,
apart from the consumption of the test drinks, did not change
significantly during the trial.
The trial was completed between September and December
6, 2010 at the DRC (Data Research Coordination) examination
laboratory (DRC, Inc., Kita-ku, Osaka-city, Osaka, Japan).
Information on the purpose of the trial and the content of the
test products was provided to all participants prior to the study,
and all participants provided prior written approval.
This formula indicates the likelihood of sunburn from UV.
The visual value (L*) of the skin color, it carried out the group
division. The minimum UV exposure measured in Mexameter
required to produce purple stigmata plasty is termed the
minimum erythema dose: MED.
The MED in all volunteers was measured and 36 (49.2±5.4
years old of average age) who presented with a low MED value
were selected. Subjects were prepared with or without CAPS
content cassis juice (Table 1).
The CAPS content cassis juice was prepared from black
carrant juice (Kirin Holdings Co.,Ltd. Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan).
The juice contained enzymatic partially digested polysaccharide
with a mean MW of approximately 20,000 with β-galactosidase
2,9). Nutritional content is shown in Table 2. The placebo was
formulated with a high-fructose corn syrup and cassis flavor,
and was indistinguishable the drinks by color, taste or aroma.
Table 1
Raw-material composition of the test-drinks
Trial article
Trial article
Placebo
Low-dose (LD)
group
High-dose
(HD) group
Control
group
CAPS content cassis juice
(ml)
6
Red sweet potato pigment
(g)
0.13
0.13
0.13
Citric acid
(g)
0
0
0.075
Sodium citrate
(g)
0
0
0.115
Corn syrup
(g)
3
3
3
Cassis flavor
(g)
Water
(g)
40.87
34.37
43.68
Total
(g)
50
50
50
Table 2
Energy
0
12.5
0
Objectiveskin condition
The color-difference,water content, transdermal water
transpiration, melanin and erythema-index were measured.
Silverfish patterns and wrinkles were evaluated by image
analysis. All skin measurements were taken after 20 minutes
acclimation at a room temperature of 25 °C and 50% humidity.
The color difference was measured with a spectralcolorimetry meter (CM-2600d) 8). Skin water content of the
left and right cheek of the face and the regiones dorsales was
measured. Skin moisture was measured with Colneo meter
(CM825; Courage & Khazaka Electric Gmbh), which measures
the water content in the corneum by electric capacitance 10).
The amount of melanin and erythema index evaluated in the
regiones dorsales. Melanin and erythema index were measured
by Mexsa meter (MX18; Courage & Khazaka Electric Gmbh),
which irradiates the skin specific wavelength light andmeasures the
reflected light with a photodiode; the meter computes a melanin
and erythemaindex 11,12).
0
0.00005
Nutritional information
Trial article
Trial article
Placebo
Low-dose (LD)
group
High-dose
(HD) group
Control
group
(kcal)
11.6
14.8
8.4
Carbohydrate
(g)
2.9
3.7
2.1
Protein
(g)
0
0
0
Lipid
(g)
0
0
0
Sodium
(g)
0
0
0
Trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL)
TEWL from the face cheek and the regiones dorsales was
measured with a Tewameter (TM210; Courage & Khazaka
Electric Gmbh) 13). The vapor tension at several points two
millimeters from a skin surface was measured to compute the
water lost (g/h·m 2). Measurements were taken after the face had
been washed out water and soap and allowed to acclimatize for
20 minutes indoors at a room temperature of 25 °C and 50%
humidity.
Image analysis of the facial skin
The facial skin was imaged with shot apparatus (VISIATM
Evolution, Fairfield, NJ, USA) 14) pigmented lesions and face
35
Effect of Cassis Polysaccharides (CAPS) on Skin Function
Results
wrinkles quantitatively evaluated. This technique distinguishes
different pigments by color temperature and is capable of
distinguishing brown, red and UV spots.
Subjective evaluation assessed by AAQOL
In both the HD and LD groups, 3 of the 33 physical
symptoms measured by the AAQOL significantly improved
when compared with control: “stiff shoulders” at 4w in the HD
group (p = 0.020), “palpitations” at 8w in LD (p = 0.004) and
HD (p = 0.002) groups, “edematous” at 4w in the HD group (p
= 0.026) (Fig. 1).
Five skin symptoms also showed significant improvements
(Fig. 2), namely “concerned about pores” at 4w in the LD group
( p = 0.041),“concerned about spots or freckles,” at 8w in the
HD group (p = 0.024), “not elastic, not glossy” at 8w in the LD
group (p = 0.024), “concerned about crows feet” at 8w in the
LD group ( p = 0.004), and “concerned about rough skin” at
8w in both the LD (p = 0.018) and HD (p = 0.015) groups. No
significant change was seen in any mental symptoms.
The catalase activity in the corneumr by UVirradiation trial
In order to examine, the skin damage by UV of a trial
article. The potential protective affect of cassis consumption
was assessed by conducting a UV-irradiation trial. The trial
followed “The Japan Cosmetic Industry Association SPF (sun
protection factor) Method, Standard version 2007”.
Six circular areas on the back, 8 mm diameter, were
irradiated with a high-efficiency ultraviolet-irradiation machine
(DRC Solar UV Simulator 6P-100, DRC) for 40 -55 seconds at
50 kJ/m 2 to 80 kJ/m 2. Average MED in Japanese is 60-70 kJ/m 2
15).
MED was evaluated 16–24 hours after irradiation and
the redness of skin visually assessed. In this test, it verified
the restitution effect of the quality of skin by which has little
redness.
Catalase (CAT) activity in the corneum was assessed
one week after UV irradiation by sampling a specimen of the
corneum by tape stripping (Scotch tape, 15 mm; Nichiban
Co., Ltd., Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan). The first two samples
(superficial skin layer) were discarded to avoid contamination,
and the third sample was used for analysis.
Corneum CAT activity was measured in a circular 6 mm
of corneum incubated with hydrogen peroxide incubated for 2
hours 16).
Following incubation, the sample was f ixed using
4-aminoantipyrine, and the remaining perhydrides were
estimated by perhydride oxidation. This reaction generates a
red diazo-compound from 4-aminoantipyrine and phenolic
compounds, in which the color measured at 550 nm optical
absorbance the amount of protein in the sample. The protein
concentration is related to the CAT activity by the amount of
hydrogen peroxide extinctions (nmole/g protein) per unitary
protein. A CAT Index, representing an index of UV damage,
can be calculated by comparing the activity in UV-exposed and
non-exposed skin from the following formula 16).
CAT Index = (CAT activity in UV-non-exposed skin:
vicinal site) - (CAT activity in UV-exposed skin).
Transepidermal water loss (TEWL)
By 4w, TEWL in back skin of all groups decreased from
8.24 ± 1.70 to 6.05 ± 1.45 in the HD group (p < 0.001) (Fig. 3).
The average of right and left cheek TEWL decreased from
16.22 ± 3.98 to 13.37 ± 4.09 at 8w in the HD group (p = 0.008),
and the TEWL of the HD group differed from the control group
(p = 0.044).
Facial and back skin structure (assessed by image
analysis)
By 4w, the area of pores measured by image analysis on the
left cheek in the LD group was larger than that in the control
(p= 0.011) and by 8w, the wrinkle area was also larger than that
in the control (p = 0.005). By 8w, the area of spots on the right
cheek in the HD group was significantly smaller than that in the
control group (p = 0.013) (Fig. 4).
By 4w, the skin color tone (index a*) of the back skin
decreased in the LD and the HD groups (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01);
at 8w, the erythema index decreased in the HD group (p = 0.039);
and by 4w, the melanin index decreased in the LD and the HD
groups ( p < 0.01) (Fig. 5). However, neither the LD nor the
HD group differed from the control, in which index a*and the
melanin index also decreased by 8w (p = 0.018 and p < 0.001).
Ethical standards and conflict of interest
UV radiation test (MED and CAT index)
The trial followed Japanese Ministr y of Health and
Welfare Ordinance No.28 “Standards of implementation
of the clinical trial of a pharmaceutical” (March 27, Heisei
9)” and was completed at a third-party medical institution
(DRC examination site). The trial was approved by the Ethics
Committee of DRC, Inc. and by Kirin Holdings Co., Ltd., and
complied with the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine and
conflict-of-interests rule of the Doshisha University.
At 8w, the MED in the LD group decreased after UV
radiation from 52.92 ± 2.57 to 52.13 ± 3.45 kJ/m 2 in the control
group and to 50.83 ± 1.95 kJ/m 2 , while MED in the HD group
increased to 56.96 ± 4.68 kJ/m 2 , with a significant inter-group
difference ( p = 0.022) (Fig. 6). In other words, the redness
induced by UV was significantly less in the HD group.
By 4w, CAT activity in the irradiated area of the control
group had increased from 6.33 ± 2.66 to 9.04 ± 3.59 nmole/μg
protein (p = 0.013), and by 8w to 8.83 ± 2.51 nmole/μg protein (p
= 0.018). No significant change was noted in the HD group (0w:
8.19 ± 5.21, 4w: 10.91 ± 6.70, 8w: 10.23 ± 3.49 nmole/μg protein
at 8w), but by 8w in the LD group, CAT activity had increased
from 7.29 ± 4.32 to 10.13 ± 3.56 nmole/μg protein (p = 0.004).
There was no significant inter-group difference (Fig. 7).
At 4w, CAT activity in the area adjacent to the irradiated
skin, increased in the control group from 5.87 ± 2.49 to 8.83
± 3.95 nmole/μg protein (p = 0.001), and at 8w, to 9.46 ± 2.99
nmole/μg protein (p = 0.002). No significant change was noted
in either the LD and HD groups or in the between groups
difference (Fig. 7).
Statistical analysis
Test results are expressed as a mean ± standard deviation
(SD). Differences in variables between the start (0w), and at
four (4w) and eight weeks after (8w), were tested with paired-t
test, and verified by Wilcoxon rank sum test or by Dunnett’s
test. Analysis of covariance between groups was calculated for
all variables. Statistics were calculated with Dr.SPSSII (IBM
Japan, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan), and the level of significance
was set at < 5% (two-tailed test). The safety of the test products
was evaluated by individual hazard assessment.
36
Effect of Cassis Polysaccharides (CAPS) on Skin Function
Fig. 1. Physical symptoms as assessed by AAQol.
a: “Stiff shoulders”, b: “Palpitations”, c: “Edematous”.
Data are expressed as mean ± standard deviation of score change ratio from values at 0w (n = 12 for each group).
*p < 0.05, **p < 0.01vs. control by Dunnett’s test.
Fig. 2. Skin condition as assessed by AAQol.
a: “Concerned about pores”, b: “Concerned about spots or freckles”, c: “Not elastic, not glossy”, d: “Concerned
about crows feet”, and e: “Concerned about rough skin”.
Mean± standard deviation of score change ratio from values at 0w (n = 12 for each group).
*p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 vs. control by Dunnett’s test.
37
Effect of Cassis Polysaccharides (CAPS) on Skin Function
Fig. 3. Change of trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL).
a: back, b: cheek (average of right and left).
Mean± standard deviation of change ratio from values at 0w (n = 12 for each group).
**p < 0.01 vs. values at 0w, vs. control by Dunnett’s test. *** p < 0.001 vs. values at 0w ; #p < 0.05 vs. control by Dunnett’s test
Fig. 4. Image analysis of cheek skin.
a: pores (left), b: wrinkles (left), c: spots (right).
Mean± standard deviation (n = 12 for each group).
**p < 0.01 vs. control by Dunnett’s test.
38
Effect of Cassis Polysaccharides (CAPS) on Skin Function
Fig. 5. Tone analysis of back skin.
a: a* index,b: erythema index, c: melanin index.
Mean± standard deviation (n = 12 for each group).
*p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001 vs. values at 0w by Dunnett’s test.
Fig. 6. Minimum erythema dose (MED) by ultra violet (UV) radiation.
Mean ± standard deviation (n = 12 for each group).
*p < 0.05 vs. control by Dunnett’s test.
39
Effect of Cassis Polysaccharides (CAPS) on Skin Function
Fig. 7. Change of skin catalase (CAT) activity induced by ultra-violet (UV) radiation.
a,b: CAT activity (UV-radiation area and adjacent area, respectively), c: CAT index.
Data are expressed as change ratio from values at 0w, mean± standard deviation (n= 12 for each group).
*p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 vs. values at 0w by Dunnett’s test; # p < 0.05 group means vs. control by t test.
Influence on skin structure
At 8w, the CAT index (UV damage) increased in the
control group, but tended to decrease in the LD and HD groups
at 4w and 8w. The change of CAT index from 0w to the average
of the values at 4w and 8w in the HD group differed from
that in the control (p = 0.048) (Fig. 7). This data suggests UV
damage was significantly milder in the HD group than that in
control.
Taken together, this evidence suggests that cassis juice
consumption may have a direct or indirect effect on skin
condition. Cassis fruit juice has been reported to interact with
skin collagen, phospholipid, and proteoglycan. Skin tissue,
which it suffers, activates enzyme matrix metalloproteinases
(MMPs), and resolves collagen and the elastin 16 -18) . As
anthocyanin extracted from berry fruits is reported to inhibit
elastase in vitro 16), anthocyanin consumption may alleviate
deleterious effects of UV by strengthening or repairing collagen
fibers. This interaction occurs in the skin matrix, outside
collagen and the blood vessel, where anthocyanin may cross
link collagen fibers and interact with the collagen metabolism
thus strengthening collagen fiber 17,18).
Anthocyanins may also have beneficial effects on other
tissues. For example, other authors report anthocyanins
decrease the biosynthesis of structural glycoprotein and
polymeric collagen, which are implicated in capillary wall
thickening of diabetics 19), and alterations in the gene expression
of collagenase 5).
P r e v io u s r e s e a r c h u s i n g m i c r o a r r ay a n a l y s i s of
gene expression found that the administration of CAPS
containing cassis controlled the appearance of many matrix
metalloproteinases (MMPs), such as stromelysin (MMP11&19)
and collagenase (MMP1) 5). These enzymes inf luence skin
aging by controlling the condition of the extracellular skin
matrix 5). These findings suggest that these enzymes may alter
skin wrinkling and elasticity 20,21).
The result of the pathway analysis admits the change of a
significant gene expression in the MMPs pathway. For example,
Discussion
In this study, we investigated the effect of cassis (Ribes
nigrum L.) juice consumption, which contains CAPS, on the
skin in a randomized controlled trial over nine weeks. In both
the LD and HD groups, participants reported an improvement
in subjective symptoms, such as “stiff shoulders”, “palpitations”,
and “edematous” and in their assessment of skin condition
indicators, such as pores, spots, freckles, elasticity, glossyness,
and rough-dry skin. The subjective assessment was supported
by objective measurements of TEWL, image analysis, and the
MED and CAT indices.
These significant improvements in subjective symptoms,
i.e., “Concerned about rough skin” by and “Concerned about spots
or freckles” were confirmed by improvements in objective skin
function indicators, namely image analysis for spots, MED tests
and CAT index. The score improvements in “Stiff shoulders” and
skin symptoms, including pores, spots, freckles, crows feet, and
rough skin are consistent with previous findings 3-5).
40
Effect of Cassis Polysaccharides (CAPS) on Skin Function
inhibition of plasminogen gene may have a beneficial effect on
skin formation, as plasmin (fibrinolysin) interferes with skin
formation and the differentiation of the epidermal cells from
the basal layer 22).
As a result, skin condition may improve. However, the
mechanism that underlies changes in skin transpiration is
uncertain. We hypothesize that improvements in collagen
stability may change skin barrier composition, thus altering
moisture loss through the skin.
In contrast, we did not find any amelioration of skin
wrinkles, as measured by face image analysis. However,
the eight-week trial period may have been too short to allow
detection of any beneficial change, and a longer trial (three
months or more) may be necessary.
The image analysis did identify an increase in pore-area.
Similar changes in pore-area and other measures of bodily
functions, such as IGF-I and the DHEA-s, have been observed
amongst women undertaking a moderate exercise program for
two months 23).
enzymes are superoxide dismutase, CAT, GSH peroxidase,
and GSH reductase 30). The CAT level in epidermis is much
higher than in the dermis, and decreases after a single UV
exposure, recovering 3-4 weeks after exposure 31). The present
result shows that the cassis juice component acted defensively
to the UV irradiation-induced reduction of CAT activity, thus
resulting the increase of MED. Further investigation will be
necessary to elucidate the precise mechanism.
Although image analysis showed decrease in red tones
(index a* and erythema index) in facial skin, this result is
compatible with MED improvement after UV irradiation.
In previous research, we found a change in gene expression
following consumption of cassis juice. These results indicated
alteration of the oxidation stress pathway 5). In particular, the
expression of Transcription factor Sp1 (SP1) (Chromosome:
12), which is concerned with transcriptional activation as
an adaptive response, and the expression of Proto-oncogene
protein c-fos (FOS) (Cellular oncogene fos) (G0/G1 switch
regulatory protein 7) of immediate-early gene induction. The
present results support this previous gene expression research.
Wnt-signaling pathway and cell-cycle pathway
Previous research has suggested that cassis juice containing
CAPS tends to inhibit the Wnt-signaling pathway 5) . This
pathway is associated with an increase in tissue fibrosis, which
may be related to wrinkle formation 24). The Wnt-signaling
pathway may play a role in long-term sclerosis of blood vessel
walls, and an increase in tissue fibrosis is one of characteristics
of individual aging. A strong Wnt signal may cause an increase
in tissue and vessel fibrosis, and skin thickening which are
symptoms of premature aging.
In Klotho mice, the Wnt signal is activated easily and a
proportion of skeletal muscle is transformed into fibrous tissue.
Younger mice exhibit small intestine fibrosis, and the blood of
older mice contains many substances that promote fibrosis 25).
These results indicate that Klotho expression may suppress Wnt
activity 25). If cassis juice ingestion is also able suppress the
Wnt signal, then it might thereby inhibit skin fibrosis.
Conclusion
Here we show that consumption of cassis juice containing
CA PS was associated with an improvement in var ious
measures of skin condition in healthy Japanese woman. Skin
transpiration and resistance to UV damage were also improved,
which suggests the possibility of changes in the anti-oxidizing
properties of skin. Further research is required to identify the
active component of cassis juice.
Acknowledgement
The effect of CAPS on antioxidant capacity of skin
The authors are indebted to Dr. R. Yamamoto (Mercian
Co., Ltd., Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan) for her valuable comments.
The non-invasive tape-stripping method used in this
study is a well-established method for measuring skin CAT
activity conveniently and with high sensitivity 26). SOD activity
at corneum and glutathione (GSH) peroxidase activity are
unaffected by UV radiation 27), and levels of these enzymes
have seasonal change 28). However, UV exposure decreases
CAT activity 27,28), and this is reported to be correlated with
a decline in elasticity of skin (Cutometer index R7 (Ur1/Uf1))
26). As such, the results from the present study indicate that
the CAT Index might provide a useful index of potential UV
damage.
In the present study, we found the MED increased in the
HD group, and the CAT Index improved in both the LD and
the HD group. MED values are various in individuals, ranging
40~50 kJ/m 2 in the sensitive skin to sunburn and 90~100 kJ/
m 2 in the skin resistant to sunburn. The present results suggest
that resistance to UV damage may be positively associated with
consumption of the test product.
We hypothesize that the individual variance may occur due
to the difference of defense mechanism of the skin, especially
the difference of anti-oxidative enzyme activity. The skin
is protected from reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced
damages by enzymes which convert ROS to harmless water
and molecular oxygen 29). Major endogenous anti-oxidative
Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest:
Ashigai H, Kawachi Y and Yanai T undertake research
for manufactures of cassic products as employees of Kirin
Holdings Company, Limited.
Yonei, Y, Ogura, M, and Yagi M declare no financial or
other conflict of interests in the writing of this paper.
41
Effect of Cassis Polysaccharides (CAPS) on Skin Function
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