Search

Glutamatergic transmission through NMDA receptors (NMDARs) is important for the function of peripheral tissues. In the bone, NMDARs and its co-agonist, D-serine participate in all the phases of the remodeling. In the vasculature, NMDARs exerts a tonic vasodilation decreasing blood perfusion in the corpus cavernosum and the filtration rate in the renal glomerulus. NMDARs are relevant for the skin turnover regulating the proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes and the formation of the cornified envelope (CE). The interference with NMDAR function in the skin leads to a slow turnover and repair. As occurs with the brain and cognitive functions, the manifestations of a hypofunction of NMDARs resembles those observed during aging. This raises the question if the deterioration of the glomerular vasculature, the bone remodeling and the skin turnover associated with age could be related with a hypofunction of NMDARs. Furthermore, the interference of D-serine and the effects of its supplementation on these tissues, suggest that a decrease of D-serine could account for this hypofunction pointing out D-serine as a potential therapeutic target to reduce or even prevent the detriment of the peripheral tissue associated with aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

α‐Lipoic acid is amphipathic with low molecular sulphur‐containing fatty acid and has strong antioxidant effects. It has been used at the purposes of anti‐ageing, treatment of diabetic neuropathy, and supplement as antioxidant. Though α‐lipoic acid is normally administered in oral or injection, it has not been used in a topical use via skin because of its bad penetration. We developed the novel nanocapsule of α‐lipoic acid, named α‐lipoactive (nLA), to improve skin permeability. The nLA is constructed as micelles of α‐lipoic acid mixed with the non‐ionic surfactant, and its surface of the micelles was coated with inorganic metal salts. It is water soluble and has a diameter of approximately 8‐15 nm. After nLA was applied to the murine skin, epidermal thickening was observed. It was confirmed that this effect is caused by α‐lipoic acid molecule, but not by the raw material used for encapsulation. In in vivo experiments, it was found that nLA is very effective for improving UV‐induced pigmentation and epidermal thickening. Our findings suggest that nanoencapsulation of α‐lipoic acid is considerably effective for topical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]