Cosmetics and genetics

It wasn’t until 1995 that scientists discovered that human genes work exactly the same way as with bacteria. In order for an organism to exist, substances must be constantly produced, and genes control both the production of the substances, and their production timing. This discovery was quickly followed by intervention in the process, this is genetic engineering. This topic has been discussed for over forty years, especially after the decoding of the components of the human genetic code in 2001. Today we can read the book of life, although we still cannot understand it.

Genes in the human body

The human body contains about 100 billion cells. Almost all of these cells contain the complete human genetic material, including about 23,000 genes. The chromosomes contain a long string of DNA and protein molecules, where the genes are concentrated. One somatic cell contains 23 pairs of chromosomes. One gene is usually responsible for making one or more proteins within the cell. There are also genes that activate other genes, and act in an indirect way. In fact, all genes contribute to the development of characteristics such as the color of the skin, hair, and eyes. Yet, genes also determine the person’s lifespan. Currently, scientists are working to find the genes responsible for cell death and all the mechanisms involved in this process. If it were possible to change these genes, we could extend our life span. Genes of this type encode the factors responsible for the fact that a thew life span of a fruit fly is three months, while turtles can live up to 150 years.

Can the biological clock be turned back? The human body begins to break down tissues (catabolism) and cells in our mid-twenties. Recent studies show that vitamin A and carotenoids reactivate the skin’s metabolism, while vitamin B regulates the water in the body, and vitamin C and E are responsible for the skin’s regeneration.

More than one million cells out of the 23 billion cells in the human body mentioned above die a programmed death every day, mainly to make room for younger, healthier cells, for example, after massive cell death when we suffer sunburns. Genetic material in the cells that get damaged by ultraviolet radiation must be prevented from entering the general blood circulation in the body, thus minimizing the risk of developing cancer. There are several messengers (called the “messengers of death”) that we know of, which, when released, prompt the cells to commit suicide: The genetic material inside the cell nucleus breaks down and the cell dies.

However, as people age, the frequency with which new cells replace old ones decreases. Namely, from the age of 40 onwards our skin becomes thinner by one percent every year. The proteins collagen and elastin, which are responsible for the elasticity of the skin, decrease by two percent a year. This results from the occurrence of errors in the complex process of metabolism. The “power stations” of the cells tend to wear out and change, thus accelerating the aging of the skin. Experiments carried out with the aim of protecting the mitochondria through the use of certain substances failed due to the complexity of this problem.

Genetic Engineering

Genetic engineering has been very successful in recent years: A fish’s gene was used to make berries more cold-resistant; scientists were able to increase the muscle mass of mice, grow herbicide-resistant corn, and more. However, when it comes to skin aging and regeneration, scientists haven’t had that much luck.

A cosmetic product that can affect genetic mechanisms is still a distant dream, just like genetic therapy for certain diseases. When considering the degree of complexity of the various stages in the control mechanism of the skin and connective tissues, one can imagine the great amount of time required to make significant progress in this field.

The mass market products available under the name DNAge try to convince customers by saying that the folic acid will affect the genetic control of the skin cells. The argument that folic acid acts on the cells and strengthens the DNA directly within the cell nucleus, that it protects the DNA from external effects and improves the healthy process of cell regeneration, has no support in scientific facts. Therefore, these explanations are nothing but marketing trickery!

Another area that has so far only been studied to a small extent is the effect of signaling molecules on the body’s genetic mechanisms. In humans, insulin is an example of such a signaling molecule, which has the potential to determine the whole body’s response to stress. Very little research has been conducted with respect to these molecules. In mice and rats, important proteins such as p53, FoxO , and Ku70 can induce cell death or activate cell repair capacity. In this context, it is interesting to examine the group of sirtuins in mammalian cells. These are enzymes that control cell metabolism in several ways. For example, the enzyme Sirt-1 controls the following target proteins:

1. Fox=3, FoxO1 and Fox=04: Transcription factors for genes involved in cell protection and glucose metabolism.
2. The histones H4, H3 and H1: control the DANN density within the chromosomes.
3. Ku70: A transcription factor that stimulates DANN repair and cell survival .
4. MyoD: A transcription factor that stimulates muscle development and tissue repair.
5. NcoR: Menstruation affects a large number of genes, including those involved in fat metabolism, inflammatory processes and the function of other hormones, such as the protein PGC-IP.
6. P300: Menstruation, responsible for the attachment of acetyl groups to histones.
7. p53 transcription factor, initiator of programmed death of diseased cells.
8. PGC-1: Menstruation, controls cell respiration and apparently plays an important role in muscle development.
9. NF-?B: Transcription factor, controls inflammation and cell survival and growth.

Connective tissue cells – fibroblasts – are controlled by at least 337 genes; They behave in very different ways, depending on the anatomical area they came from. In addition, current dieticians are convinced that everything we put into our organism affects the effectiveness of genetics.

The individual nutrient molecules are washed through the body as tiny molecules, just like sediment. They reach the cells and provide them with energy. Some portion of everything we eat ends up in these powerhouses in our organisms. These nutritional molecules undergo a thorough examination in the cell membrane, before entering the cell. However, sometimes toxins (alcohol, for example), manage to avoid the controllers, and damage the cells significantly. On the other hand, vitamin C from orange juice can stimulate collagen production by genes inside the cells. In one part of the cell – the endoplasmic reticulum – the new fiber takes its shape. The nucleus of the cell keeps the most important treasure of all – DNA. Access here is only possible for materials with special permits: Proteins and nutrients that activate the genes. Toxic substances can, of course, cause damage here as well.

Research of the interaction between food and genes has only just begun. Perhaps it is possible to turn genes on and off, speed up and slow down their action through various diseases. Expectations in this field are high.

These examples are only meant to show how complex these issues are. Many laboratories all over the world engage in research in this field. Methods at the molecular level, such as DNA chips (DNA Micro-array) are improving and becoming more accurate and efficient. The results may be highly significant, especially for the development of cosmetics, in a few years. If it is then possible to cause significant changes in the skin and connective tissues of the skin using signaling molecules, we may be able to say that we have taken a huge step forward. Yet today, unfortunately, this is merely a dream.