Rosette Basic Research
The effect of HC and analysis of mechanism
We have been investigating the functions and safety of horse ceramides（HC）, whose are formulated in cosmetics as moisturizers and skin protecting agents for many years.
What changes actually happen in the skin when HC are applied? What is the mechanism of these effects? What functions do they have other than their well-known moisturizing and barrier-enhancing properties? To clarify these question, we conduct extensive studies that ranges from the cellular level (such as cultured human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) and 3-dimensional cultured skin model) to the level on human subjects.
Effects of HC on ceramide metabolism
To clarify the mechanisms of HC on improving barrier function, we evaluated the expression levels of the ceramide metabolism-related genes in NHEHs.
The application of HC significantly increased the mRNA expression of CerS3, DES-1, GCase, and SMase (shaded portions in fig.1). This result suggests that HC improve ceramide synthesis in human keratinocytes.
Furthermore, we found that the application of HC on reconstructed human epidermal equivalents significantly increased ceramide levels and significantly improved trans-epidermal water loss.
Microplate readers are instruments which are used to measure the amount of a target substance by measuring its photochemical properties (color depth, fluorescence, luminosity, etc.). They allow large samples to be analyzed at once. And we primarily use it for the purpose of measuring enzyme activity or the amount of cytokine in cell sap.
Real-time PCR instruments are used to amplify and detect trace genes in order to evaluate gene level in various samples. By measuring and comparing the quantity of genes in cells or skin to which a sample was administered, we can verify various changes resulting from that administration.