Vitamin C, lactoferrin and elastin-Advancing the science.

BACKGROUND: This study follows an initial scientific validation linking sodium ascorbate (SAC) with elastin conservation and the clinical trial histology observation that the full formulation tested there stimulated elastin development. In an effort to explain the increased elastin response, a candidate was sought that may provide synergy to SAC during elastin stimulation. Lactoferrin was the constituent chosen to explore in this realm.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the previously described ex vivo skin model, freshly collected discarded human skin from 2 donors was used to evaluate the effects of lactoferrin and SAC alone and together, and L-ascorbate CE Ferulic formulation (CEF) on elastogenesis. Four skin explants were topically subjected to the treatments daily for 7 days and one group was left untreated as a negative control. The tissue was fixed and embedded. Sections were evaluated by immunofluorescence using antibodies targeting Tropoelastin and CD44, with DAPI counterstaining to observe nuclei. Images were then analyzed using ImageJ.

RESULTS: Treatment with SAC and lactoferrin demonstrated a significant synergistic effect on tropoelastin stimulation compared to the single treatments. In addition, this combination demonstrated intact and increased elastin fibers in contrast to the CEF, which portrayed fragmented elastin fibers. In addition, an additive effect of SAC also contributed to the enhanced CD44, suggesting an increased presence of hyaluronic acid, a new observation for this compound.

CONCLUSION: This study complements a series of studies that have been undertaken to validate the efficacy of a novel antioxidant formulation. Aside from its efficacy in ROS management, the SAC constituent is unique in the different forms of Vitamin C for its ability to conserve elastin. Prior clinical studies demonstrated additive elastin stimulation on histology, not just conservation. From this current study, the combination of SAC with lactoferrin may be responsible for this additive stimulatory effect on elastin. This presents a significant advance in topical antioxidant formulations where the Vitamin C component provides antioxidant and collagen stimulation with additional elastin stimulation rather than degradation.