911 Theophylline exerts complex anti-aging and anti-cytotoxicity effects in human skin ex vivo

Besides its main clinical in asthma therapy, the phosphodiesterase inhibitor, theophylline, is accepted as a cosmetic agent with potential anti-oxidative and anti-aging properties. However, the effects of theophylline on full-thickness, organ-cultured human skin human skin are poorly explored. Here, we report that theophylline 10 μM and 100μM stimulated expression of the stem cell marker keratin 15 in the epidermis and enhanced the integrity of dermal microfibrils as assessed by fibrillin-1. Theophylline also strongly increased mRNA levels of collagen I and III, decreased MMP2 and MMP9 mRNA levels and up-regulated the prot ein expression of the anti-oxidant, metallothionein-1.
Source: Journal of Investigative Dermatology - Category: Dermatology Authors: Tags: Skin, Appendages, and Stem Cell Biology Source Type: research