Free radicals from external triggers, such as sun exposure and cigarette smoke, have long been known to damage skin cells and components of the skin's extracellular matrix, including collagen and elastin. New research funded by Nu Skin Enterprises on internal causes of aging has identified a previously unknown source of superoxide free radicals. arNOX, an enzyme associated with cell membranes, is present and active on skin cells. Scientists from Nu Skin Enterprises and Purdue University reported their novel research findings on age-related NADH oxidase (arNOX) in Kyoto, Japan, at International Investigative Dermatology 2008 (IID2008), a major scientific venue for the latest information on skin biology.
Significantly, arNOX activity increases during the "aging" years of about 45-70. The arNOX enzyme is one in a class of newly-identified ECTO-NOX (external NADH oxidase or ENOX) proteins that are located on external cell membranes. ECTO-NOX proteins become increasingly active to generate additional metabolic energy as cell mitochondria age and produce less energy. arNOX has been identified in all cells tested, including serum and saliva and now the dermis and epidermis. Its unique property is that it generates superoxide at the cell surface that is capable of damaging adjacent cells, lipoproteins, and other structural components of the skin's extracellular matrix, such as collagen and elastin.
Identifying skin-associated arNOX and its increasing activity with age is a breakthrough discovery. Currently research focuses on correcting skin damage after it occurs. Identifying an internal source of free radicals in skin allows us to treat the cause of aging not just effect. Evidence of arNOX in the skin provides insight into potentially revolutionary therapies for skin care. If we can develop innovative ways to inhibit arNOX activity and prevent the production of free radicals in the first place, then we can effectively correct free radical damage from external and prevent free radical production from internal sources. New serum treatments like age-loc will revolutionize the battle against aging by turning off the skin aging enzyme.Ultimately internal supplements will be created to treat aging systemically. We are certainly living in exciting times.