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Like the other body tissues, the cells of the skin
need energy to maintain their vital functions, their ability to regenerate
and repair themselves as well as to grow. This energy comes from intracellular
metabolic processes. |
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The
dermal blood supply provides the basal
cells with nutrients like fats, carbohydrates, proteins and oxygen.
Free fatty acids, if in sufficient supply, play the largest role in
the energy production. Cells, like those in the stratum granulosum
- into which little glucose diffuses - seem to use the fatty acids
set free by the dissolution of the cell membrane to produce energy.
Methods of energy production
Energy is produced by cells in three different ways:
 glycolysis
citrate acid cycle
respiratory chain
Glycolysis takes place in the cytoplasm and is a quickly-activated
form of energy production. The stages of the citric acid cycle and
respiratory chain also known as biological oxidation proceed in the
cell mitochondria.
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Running through
every dermal papilla are called capillary loops, from which nutrients
can diffuse, over a short distance, into the basal layer.
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The respiratory chain - the master of energy production
The most energy is produced in the respiratory chain. All enzymatic
degradation processes of fats, carbohydrates and amino acids end in
this third stage of aerobic metabolism. The electron transport system
plays a central role. Certain proteins localized almost exclusively
in the inner mitochondrial membrane function as electron carriers.
Substances like the NAD(P)-dependent dehydrogenases, ubiquinone (coenzyme
Q10) or the cytochromes act as collecting points for reducing equivalents
or as electron carriers. |
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In the third stage of the
metabolism - the respiratory chain - hydrogen atoms are split into
protons and electrons. The electrons are transported along the electron
transport chain with oxygen as the ultimate acceptor. Along the way,
the resulting energy is converted into chemical energy (ATP) by means
of oxidative phosphorylation. |
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The energy released in the electron chain is
stored as chemical energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate
(ATP).
Skin ageing and a special electron carrier
Recent research results indicate that a deficiency of a specific
coenzyme in the respiratory chain, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), plays an
important role in a reduced cell regeneration capacity resulting
for example from ageing or oxidative stress. Thus patients with
cardiovascular diseases are advised to compensate for this deficiency
by taking oral CoQ10.
In a biophysical study, it could be shown for the first time that
the signs of ageing can be reduced by the topical application of
coenzyme Q10.
SUMMARY:
The third stage of metabolism, the respiratory chain, plays
an important role in the energy production of skin cells.
In a biophysical study it could be shown that the electron
carrier and collecting point for reducing equivalents, Coenzyme
Q10 reduces the signs of ageing when applied topically. |
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Sources
Fritsch P. (1990): Dermatologie. 3. Auflage. Springer-Verlag * Heymann
E. (1994): Haut, Haar und Kosmetik - Eine chemische Wechselwirkung.
S. Hirzel Verlag Stuttgart * Plewig G., Jansen T., Schürer N. Y. (1997):
Das Stratum corneum. Der Hautarzt 48: 510-521, Springer-Verlag * Raab
W., Kindl U. (1991): Pflegekosmetik - Ein Leitfaden. Gustav Fischer
Verlag Stuttgart, Govi-Verlag Frankfurt. |
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