10. Biofactors. 2009 Sep-Oct;35(5):435-41.  Coenzyme Q10 protects against oxidative stress-induced cell death and enhances the synthesis of basement membrane components in dermal and epidermal cells.  Muta-Takada K, Terada T, Yamanishi H, Ashida Y, Inomata S, Nishiyama T, Amano S.  Shiseido Research Center, Yokohama, Japan. keiko.muta@to.shiseido.co.jp 

 Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), which has both energizing and anti-oxidative effects, is also reported to have antiaging action, e.g., reducing the area of facial wrinkles. However, the mechanism of its anti-aging activity is not fully established. Here, we examined the effect of CoQ10 on human dermal and epidermal  cells. CoQ10 promoted proliferation of fibroblasts but not keratinocytes. It also accelerated production of basement membrane components, i.e., laminin 332 and type IV and VII collagens, in keratinocytes and fibroblasts, respectively; however, it had no effect on type I collagen production in fibroblasts. CoQ10 also showed protective effects against cell death induced by several reactive oxygen species in keratinocytes, but only when its cellular absorption was enhanced by pretreatment of the cells with highly CoQ10-loaded serum. These results suggest that protection of epidermis against oxidative stress and enhancement of production of epidermal basement membrane components may be involved in the antiaging properties of CoQ10 in skin.  Copyright 2009 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.  PMID: 19753652  [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] 

9. Arch Pharm Res. 2009 Jun;32(6):907-13. Epub 2009 Jun 26.  Effect of coenzyme Q10 on cutaneous healing in skin-incised mice.  Choi BS, Song HS, Kim HR, Park TW, Kim TD, Cho BJ, Kim CJ, Sim SS.  Department of Pathophysiology, College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 156-756, Korea. 

 Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a biosynthesized quinone with 10 isoprene side chains in  humans. To investigate the anti-inflammatory and wound healing effect of CoQ10, we performed in vivo and in vitro experiments. In vivo studies, there were 3 groups; Naive (without skin incision), Control (with skin incision) and CoQ10 (100 mg/kg treatment with skin incision). Collagen-like polymer (CLP) level of CoQ10 group was increased significantly compared to the control group (p<0.05). Also, CoQ10 group showed significant inhibition on myeloperoxidase (MPO) and PLA(2) level compared to the control group (p<0.05). These data show that CoQ10 may have an anti-inflammatory and a wound healing effect. CoQ10 showed significant antioxidant activity in vivo on malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide  dismutase (SOD) levels compared to the control group (p<0.05). Although CoQ10 did not show antioxidant activity in cell free system of DPPH radical scavenge, it had a potent antioxidant activity in cell culture system of both silica- and zymosan-induced reactive oxygen species generation using Raw 264.7 cells. This result may be associated with the conversion of CoQ10 to the reduced form (CoQ10H(2)) in the presence of some kinds of intracellular reducing agents. In conclusion, it is considered that CoQ10 appears to have a cutaneous healing effect in vivo, which may be related to the secondary action of CoQ10.  PMID: 19557369  [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] 

8. Acta Dermatovenerol Alp Panonica Adriat. 2008 Jun;17(2):47-54.  Skin aging.  Puizina-Ivić N.  Department of Dermatovenerology, Split Clinical Hospital Center, Soltanska 1, 21  000 Split, Croatia. neira@radogost.com 

 There are two main processes that induce skin aging: intrinsic and extrinsic. A stochastic process that implies random cell damage as a result of mutations during metabolic processes due to the production of free radicals is also implicated. Extrinsic aging is caused by environmental factors such as sun exposure, air pollution, smoking, alcohol abuse, and poor nutrition. Intrinsic aging reflects the genetic background and depends on time. Various expressions of intrinsic aging include smooth, thinning skin with exaggerated expression lines.  Extrinsically aged skin is characterized by photo damage as wrinkles, pigmented lesions, patchy hypopigmentations, and actinic keratoses. Timely protection including physical and chemical sunscreens, as well as avoiding exposure to intense UV irradiation, is most important. A network of antioxidants such as vitamins E and C, coenzyme Q10, alpha-lipoic acid, glutathione, and others can reduce signs of aging. Further anti-aging products are three generations of retinoids, among which the first generation is broadly accepted. A diet with lot  of fruits and vegetables containing antioxidants is recommended as well as exercise two or three times a week.  PMID: 18709289  [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]  

7. Biofactors. 2008;32(1-4):245-55.  Aging skin is functionally anaerobic: importance of coenzyme Q10 for anti aging skin care.  Prahl S, Kueper T, Biernoth T, Wöhrmann Y, Münster A, Fürstenau M, Schmidt M, Schulze C, Wittern KP, Wenck H, Muhr GM, Blatt T.  R&D, Beiersdorf AG, Hamburg, Germany. 

 The functional loss of mitochondria represents an inherent part in modern theories trying to explain the cutaneous aging process. The present study shows significant age-dependent differences in mitochondrial function of keratinocytes  isolated from skin biopsies of young and old donors. Our data let us postulate that energy metabolism shifts to a predominantly non-mitochondrial pathway and is therefore functionally anaerobic with advancing age. CoQ10 positively influences  the age-affected cellular metabolism and enables to combat signs of aging starting at the cellular level. As a consequence topical application of CoQ10 is  beneficial for human skin as it rapidly improves mitochondrial function in skin in vivo.  PMID: 19096122  [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] 

6. Biofactors. 2008;32(1-4):237-43.  Mechanisms of inhibitory effects of CoQ10 on UVB-induced wrinkle formation in vitro and in vivo.  Inui M, Ooe M, Fujii K, Matsunaka H, Yoshida M, Ichihashi M.  Tokiwa Pharmaceutical Campany Product Development, Japan. 

 Photodamaged skin exhibits wrinkles, pigmented spots, dryness and tumors. Solar UV radiation induces cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) and further produces base oxidation by reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS are thought to be a major factor to initiate the up-regulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in keratinocytes and fibroblasts via activation of receptor proteins on the cell membrane of keratinocytes and fibroblasts, and to degrade fiber components in dermis, leading to wrinkle formation. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) was reported to reduce ROS production and DNA damage triggered by UVA irradiation in human keratinocytes in vitro. Further, CoQ10 was shown to reduce UVA-induced MMPs in cultured human dermal fibroblasts. We speculated that UVB radiation-induced cytokine production  in keratinocytes may be inhibited by CoQ10, resulting in the reduction of MMPs in fibroblasts leading to wrinkle reduction. Our in vitro studies showed that UVB-induced IL-6 production of normal human keratinocyte (NHKC) decreased in the  presence of CoQ10. Furthermore, MMP-1 production of fibroblasts cultured with the medium containing CoQ10 collected from UVB-irradiated NHKC significantly decreased during 24 h culture. In the clinical trial study, we found that the use of 1% CoQ10 cream for five months reduced wrinkle score grade observed by a dermatologist. Taken together, our results indicate that CoQ10 may inhibit the production of IL-6 which stimulate fibroblasts in dermis by paracrine manner to up-regulate MMPs production, and contribute to protecting dermal fiber components from degradation, leading to rejuvenation of wrinkled skin.  PMID: 19096121  [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] 

5. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2006 Mar;5(1):30-8.  Anti-inflammatory effects of CoQ10 and colorless carotenoids.  Fuller B, Smith D, Howerton A, Kern D.  Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Univeristy of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA. bryan-fuller@ouhsc.edu 

 BACKGROUND: CoQ10 (ubiquinone, coenzyme Q10) and carotenoids are popular antioxidants used in many skin care products to protect the skin from free radical damage. AIM: To evaluate the effects of CoQ10 and colorless carotenoids on the production of inflammatory mediators in human dermal fibroblasts treated with UV radiation (UVR) and to investigate the possible synergistic effects of these two antioxidants. METHODS: Normal human dermal fibroblast cell cultures were exposed to either 50 mJ of UVR or to IL-1 and then incubated with various concentrations of either CoQ10, the colorless carotenoids, phytoene and phytofluene, or to combinations of these antioxidants. After 24 h in culture, cells and spent medium were harvested  and assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for prostaglandin E2 (PGE-2), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1). In addition, the ability of the carotenoids to protect CoQ10 from oxidation by the reactive oxygen species (ROS), hyperchlorite, was also determined. RESULTS: Human fibroblasts respond to UVR or to IL-1 by increasing the production of various inflammatory mediators including PGE-2, IL-1, and IL-6 and proteases such as collagenase (MMP-1). Treatment of fibroblasts with 10 microm of CoQ10 suppressed the UVR- or IL-1-induced increase in PGE-2, IL-6, and MMP-1. The combination of carotenoids and CoQ10 produced an enhanced inhibition of these three inflammatory mediators. Furthermore, the colorless carotenoids, phytoene and phytofluene, protected CoQ10 from degradation by the ROS, hypochlorite. CONCLUSION: CoQ10 is able to suppress the UVR- or IL-1-induced inflammatory response in dermal fibroblasts. Furthermore, this compound can block the UVR induction of the matrix-eroding enzyme, MMP-1. Finally, the combination of carotenoids plus CoQ10 results in enhanced suppression of inflammation. The results suggest that the combination of carotenoids and CoQ10 in topical skin care products may provide enhanced protection from inflammation and premature aging caused by sun exposure.  PMID: 17173569  [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]  

4. Biofactors. 2003;18(1-4):289-97.  The combined use of oral and topical lipophilic antioxidants increases their levels both in sebum and stratum corneum.  Passi S, De Pità O, Grandinetti M, Simotti C, Littarru GP.  Centro Invecchiamento Cellulare, I.D.I. (IRCCS), Rome, Italy. invcell@idi.it 

 The concentration of Vitamin E (vit E) and ubiquinone (CoQ10), which together with squalene (SQ), play a key role against external oxidative insult, has been shown to decrease significantly during ageing. The aim of the present study is to inquire the effect of the combined use of topical bio-cosmetics containing natural active principles (including sebum-like lipid fractions, sebum and epidermal lipophilic and hydrophilic antioxidants), and oral antioxidant supplements on the antioxidant content of sebum and stratum corneum. We therefore treated the face and the back of 50 female volunteers aged 21-40, daily for two months, with a base cream containing 0.05% ubiquinone, 0.1% vit E, and 1% squalene. In addition 50 mg of CoQ10 + 50 mg of d-RRR-alpha-tocopheryl acetate +  50 microg of selenium were administered orally to half of the volunteers (Group A). Group B was represented by 25 volunteers who were treated only topically. Every 15 days during treatment the levels of CoQ10, vit E and SQ were verified in sebum, stratum corneum, and plasma. The daily topical application of the cream led to a significant increase, that peaked after 60 days, of the levels of CoQ10, d-RRR-alpha-tocopherol and SQ in the sebum (Group B), without significantly affecting the stratum corneum or plasma concentrations of the redox couple CoQ10H2/CoQ10 and vit E. The concomitant oral admistration of antioxidants produced in Group A a significant increase of the levels of CoQ10H2/CoQ10 and vit E both in plasma and stratum corneum after 15 and 30 days treatment respectively, compared to Group B. However the sebum levels of lipophilic antioxidants and SQ did not show a significant increase. After the treatments, the levels of CoQ10H2/CoQ10, vit E and SQ went back to basal levels within 6-8 days in sebum, 12-16 days in the stratum corneum, and 3-6 days in plasma. Therefore topical application of the antioxidants was able to increase their level in sebum, while  the concomitant oral administration also affected the levels of vit E and CoQ10 in the stratum corneum.  PMID: 14695946  [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] 

3. Ceska Slov Farm. 2000 May;49(3):119-23.  [Coenzyme Q10--its importance, properties and use in nutrition and cosmetics].  [Article in Slovak]  Hojerová J.  Katedra mlieka, tukov a hygieny pozivatín-oddelenie kozmetológie Chemickotechnologickej fakulty Slovenskej technickej univerzity, Bratislava. 

 Coenzyme Q10, or ubiquinone, is a nutrient--a vitamin-like substance which plays  a crucial role in the generation of cellular energy an in free radical scavenging in the human body. After the age of 35 to 40, the organism begins to lose its ability to synthesize Co Q10 from food and its deficiency develops. Ageing, poor  eating habits, stress and infection--they all affect our ability to provide adequate amounts of Co Q10. Therefore Co Q10 supplementation may be very helpful  for the organism. The present summarizing study reports the history of the discovery and research, properties, biochemical effects, dosage of Co Q10 deficiency in the human body. A possible use of Co Q10 as a dietary supplement and an ingredient for topical cosmetic products is described.  PMID: 10953455  [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]  

2. Z Gerontol Geriatr. 1999 Apr;32(2):83-8.  [Modulation of oxidative stresses in human aging skin].  [Article in German]  Blatt T, Mundt C, Mummert C, Maksiuk T, Wolber R, Keyhani R, Schreiner V, Hoppe U, Schachtschabel DO, Stäb F.  Paul Gerson Unna Forschungszentrum Beiersdorf AG, Hamburg. 

 Oxidative stress (UV irradiation, free radicals) plays a significant role in aging. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and exogenously applied antioxidants can significantly reduce the formation of oxidative stress with increasing age. In our in vitro and in vivo experiments concerning the parameters of ultraweak photon emission (UPE), intracellular thiol status, mitochondrial membrane potential and cell vitality, we demonstrated a diminished resistance in keratinocytes of old donors against UV irradiation. This reduced epidermal resistance against oxidative stressors, i.e. UV irradiation, can be improved by topical application of CoQ10 and antioxidants like alpha-glucosylrutin (15). Furthermore, our in vivo investigations show that wrinkles around the region of the eyes ("crow feet") could be reduced by long-term application of CoQ10.  PMID: 10408011  [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] 

1. Biofactors. 1999;9(2-4):371-8.  Coenzyme Q10, a cutaneous antioxidant and energizer.  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, Stäb F, Steckel F.  Paul Gerson Unna Research Center, Beiersdorf AG, Hamburg, Germany. 

 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.  PMID: 10416055  [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]