Laszlo S

ageLOC

Validation Studies

Nu Skin has brought together a world-class team of scientists, the Nu Skin Anti-Aging Scientific Advisory Board, who have individually conducted pioneering research in their respective fields of anti-aging research for over 30 years. Collectively, they have published over 300 scientific papers, and their insights have changed the understanding of aging. Their work details the genetic basis of aging while demonstrating that biological aging is no longer considered an inevitable process.

The following collection of scientific publications, which includes the work of Nu Skin scientists, Nu Skin Anti-Aging Scientific Advisory Board members, and academic partners, represents the foundational work from which we have gained key insights into the aging process. We believe that ongoing research is needed and will further enhance ageLOC science into the future.

 

Scientific Research on ageLOC conducted by Nu Skin and/or its partners

 

  • Study #1: Mol Cell Biochem. 2003 Dec ;254(1-2):101-9.
    AN AGING-RELATED CELL SURFACE NADH OXIDASE (ARNOX) GENERATES SUPEROXIDE AND IS INHIBITED BY COENZYME Q
    Morré DM, Guo F, Morré DJ.
    Department of Foods and Nutrition, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA .

    This report describes a novel ECTO-NOX protein with an oscillating activity having a period length of ca. 26 min encountered with buffy coat fractions and sera of aged individuals (70-100 years) that generates superoxide as measured by the reduction of ferricytochrome c. The oscillating, age-related reduction of ferricytochrome c is sensitive to superoxide dismutase, is inhibited by coenzyme Q and is reduced or absent from sera of younger individuals (20-40 years). An oscillating activity with a regular period length is a defining characteristic of ECTO-NOX proteins (a group of cell surface oxidases with enzymatic activities that oscillate). The period length of ca. 26 min is longer than the period length of 24 min for the usual constitutive (CNOX) ECTO-NOX proteins of the cell surface and sera which neither generate superoxide nor reduce ferricytochrome c. The aging-related ECTO-NOX protein (arNOX) provides a mechanism to transmit cell surface oxidative changes to surrounding cells and circulating lipoproteins potentially important to atherogenesis. Additionally, the findings provide a rational basis for the use of dietary coenzyme Q to retard aging-related arterial lesions.

  • Study #2: Biofactors. 2003;18(1-4):33-43.
    SPECIFICITY OF COENZYME Q INHIBITION OF AN AGING-RELATED CELL SURFACE NADH OXIDASE (ECTO-NOX) THAT GENERATES SUPEROXIDE
    Morré DM, Morré DJ.
    Department of Foods and Nutrition, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA .

    Our laboratories have described a novel class of ectoproteins at the cell surface with both NADH or hydroquinone oxidase (NOX) and protein disulfide-thiol interchange activities (ECTO-NOX proteins). The two activities exhibited by these proteins alternate to generate characteristic patterns of oscillations where the period length is independent of temperature. The period length for the constitutive ECTO-NOX is 24 min. Here we describe a distinctive age-related ECTO-NOX (arNOX) whose activity is blocked by coenzyme Q10. arNOX occurs exclusively in aged cells and tissues. The period length of the oscillations is 26 min. Rather than reducing 1/2 O2 to H2O, electrons are transferred to O2 to form superoxide. Superoxide formation was demonstrated by superoxide dismutase-sensitive reduction of ferricytochrome c and by reduction of a superoxide-specific tetrazolium salt. Quinone inhibition was given by coenzymes Q8, 9 and Q10 but not by Q0, Q2, Q4, Q6 or 7. The arNOX provides a mechanism to propagate reactive oxygen species generated at the cell surface to surrounding cells and circulating lipoproteins of importance to atherogenesis. Inhibition of arNOX by dietary coenzyme Q10 provides a rational basis for dietary coenzyme 10 use to retard aging-related arterial lesions.

  • Study #3: Biofactors. 2009;34(3):237-44.
    AGE RELATED ENOX PROTEIN (ARNOX) ACTIVITY CORRELATED WITH OXIDATIVE SKIN DAMAGE IN THE ELDERLY
    Morré DM, Meadows C, Hostetler B, Weston N, Kern D, Draelos Z, Morré DJ.
    Department of Foods and Nutrition, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2059, USA .

    ENOX proteins with an oscillatory pattern of production of superoxide (measured by ferricytochrome c reduction) and with a period length of 26 min increase linearity with age beginning at about 30 y to a maximum of about age 60. The proteins are shed and appear in serum, saliva and urine. Enhanced arNOX activity correlates with age and with oxidative changes contributing to skin aging. Topical cosmetic preparations containing substances that block arNOX activity are under evaluation to reduce visible symptoms of skin aging.

  • Study #4: J Cosmet Dermatol. 2009 Jun;8(2):77-82.
    A NEW SOURCE OF AGING
    Knaggs H.
    Global Research and Development, Nu Skin Enterprises, Provo, UT 84601, USA .

    There has been a considerable increase in understanding how skin ages, along with significant progress toward the correction and prevention of the visible signs of aging. However, there are still many unknown factors regarding why we age - and why we all seem to age differently. An area of high interest is the biological or intrinsic processes that affect our appearance over time. This article describes a recent discovery of a membrane bound enzyme proven to be present in skin and increases its activity as biological age increases. The enzyme is located on the external surface of both fibroblast and keratinocytes, and generates free radicals. Therefore, as we age there appears to be a biological mechanism that further increases the production of free radicals. Additionally, there appears to be a relationship between activity of the enzyme and appearance. Data showed that subjects who look younger than their biological age had lower enzyme activity and conversely, subjects who looked older than their biological age had higher enzyme activity. Free radicals are believed to be a major contributing factor in the production of fine lines and wrinkles by destroying the collagen and elastin network keeping skin supple and firm.

  • Study #5: Rejuvenation Research—in press Jan 2010.
    CONTROLLING REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES AT THEIR SOURCE TO REDUCE SKIN AGING
    Kern D, Morre DM, Morre DJ, Draelos, Z.
    Nu Skin Enterprises, Provo, Utah. Department of Foods and Nutrition, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA .

    Activity of an age-related, superoxide-forming cell surface oxidase (arNOX) comparing dermis, epidermis, serum and saliva from female and male subjects ages 28 to72 y measured spectrophotometrically using reduction of ferricytochrome c correlated with oxidative skin damage as estimated from autofluoresence of skin using an AGE -Reader (DiagnOptics B.V., Netherlands). By reducing arNOX activity in skin with arNOX-inhibitory ingredients (NuSkin’s ageLOC technology) skin appearance is improved through decreased protein cross linking and an accelerated increase in collagen.

  • Study #6: Cosmet ics and Toiletries . 2009;124: 48-52.
    THE ARNOX ENZYME: IMPLICATIONS FOR INTRINSIC AGING
    Knaggs HE .
    Nu Skin Enterprises, Provo, Utah.

    This article describes a membrane-bound enzyme found in skin whose activity increases as biological age increases. The enzyme located on external surface of fibroblasts and keratinocytes generates free radicals. The present work identifies the biological mechanism of the enzyme and its relationship to the appearance of aging in skin

  • Study #7: Biofactors. 2008;32(1-4):221-30.
    SUPPLEMENTATION WITH COQ10 LOWERS AGE-RELATED (AR)NOX LEVELS IN HEALTHY SUBJECTS
    Morré DM, Morré DJ, Rehmus W, Kern D.
    Department of Foods and Nutrition, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA .

    Our work has identified an aging-related ECTO-NOX activity (arNOX), a hydroquinone oxidase which is cell surface located and generates superoxide. This activity increases with increasing age beginning >30 y. Because of its cell surface location and ability to generate superoxide, the arNOX proteins may serve to propagate an aging cascade both to adjacent cells and to oxidize circulating lipoproteins as significant factors determining atherogenic risk. The generation of superoxide by arNOX proteins is inhibited by Coenzyme Q10 as one basis for an anti-aging benefit of CoQ10 supplementation in human subjects. In a preliminary pilot study, 25 female subjects between 45 and 55 y of age were recruited at Stanford University from the Palo Alto, CA area. Informed consent was obtained. Ten of the subjects received Coenzyme Q10 supplementation of 180 (3 x 60 mg) per day for 28 days. Serum, saliva and perspiration levels of arNOX were determined at 7, 14 and 28 days of CoQ10 supplementation and compared to the initial baseline value. Activity correlated with subject age up to a maximum between age 50 and 55 years of age for saliva and perspiration as well and then declined. With all three sources, the arNOX activity extrapolated to zero at about age 30. Response to Coenzyme Q10 also 5 increased with age being least between ages 45 and 50 and greatest between ages 60 and 65. With all three biofluids, arNOX activity was reduced between 25 and 30% by a 3 x 60 mg daily dose Coenzyme Q10 supplementation. Inhibition was the result of Coenzyme Q10 presence.

  • Study #8: PRESENTED AT THE SOCIETY OF COSMETIC CHEMISTS TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE, DEC. 2009
    NEW SKIN BENEFITS IDENTIFIED FOR WHITE WILLOW BARK EXTRACT
    Remona Gopaul, Anna Langerveld, Jan Lephart, Helen Knaggs
    Nu Skin Global Research and Development, Provo UT USA

    White Willow Bark is well-known for its anti-inflammatory benefits; however, there is limited research on its skin aging benefits. In this study, we used high throughput, gene expression technologies to evaluate the effects of an extract from White Willow Bark, salicin, on cultured human equivalent skin. Affymetrix microarray analysis was conducted using a 3’ expression array (HG U133 plus 2.0), followed by validation with quantitative real time PCR. Data analysis showed that 24 and 48 hr exposure to salicin produced statistically significant changes in genes involved in multiple biological functions. Specifically, salicin significantly increased expression of the mitochondrial protective enzyme, manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD /SOD 2) and one of its transcriptional activators, Forkhead Box O1 (FO XO1). SOD 2 is one of the skin’s major protectors, and plays an integral role in protecting cells from skin aging damages caused by environmental stress factors. This study indicates that salicin is capable of reducing the appearance of skin aging caused by extrinsic factors through the induction of many different groups of genes, which we are terming “functional gene clusters.”