ISSN:
1468-2494
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Ergothioneine (EGT) is a sulfur-containing amino acid, and is presumed to function as a natural antioxidant. The purpose of this study was to identify the nature of the antioxidant activity and investigate the effects of EGT on UV-induced cellular response. In chemical studies, EGT scavenged the superoxide anion radical (•O2–) and singlet oxygen (1O2). In cultured fibroblasts, EGT suppressed TNF-α upregulation by UVB irradiation. In addition, in fibroblasts exposed to UV-A, EGT suppressed the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) protein by nearly 50% and reduced MMP-1 mRNA expression. From these results, we conclude that EGT scavenges reactive oxygen species generated by both type I and type II photosensitization and suppresses both TNF-α expression and MMP-1 at their transcriptional level. EGT may reduce skin anti-aging effects after UV irradiation by the scavenging of •O2– and 1O2, and reducing signals for protease and inflammatory activity.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.0142-5463.2005.00265_2.x
Permalink
