Descripció del projecte
The aim of this project is to develop reconstructed skin models to be used for the study of the cosmetic activity of natural compounds.
In accordance with the regulation of the European Union on the testing of products, ingredients and active substances used in the cosmetics industry, testing of these substances on animals is prohibited. “In vitro” studies on skin cells play an important role in the search for alternative methods to test the cosmetic products. However, the reconstructed skin models, which are more similar to the native skin in terms of morphology, lipid composition and biochemical markers, have a better research potential. Such properties are very useful in assessing skin irritation, performing phototoxicity tests and skin permeation tests.
The “in vitro” method of cosmetics performance evaluation is an indispensable tool in the process of creating top quality products. The use of reconstructed skin models for “in vitro” testing of active substances used in cosmetics allows for a better study of their impact on human skin, and thus for the implementation of more technologically advanced products that will have a visible impact on the quality and operation of the cosmetic.
In addition, the reconstructed skin models allow for a better understanding of intercellular interactions, the process of cell proliferation or their differentiation.
Provital recently recreated a model of reconstructed stretch mark skin for the first time, which revealed that dermal fibroblasts rather than epidermal keartinocytes play a significant role in the mechanism of stretch mark formation. Such a discovery allows for “in vitro” research on the topic of stretch marks, their possible treatment, and drug screening.
An additional issue that will be the subject of research is oxidative stress and inflammation. Oxidative stress is a state in which there is an imbalance between reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) production an elimination by endogenous antioxidants in favor of excessive accumulation of RONS. Oxidative stress and proinflammatory mediators alter many biochemical processes in cells, including skin cells. The Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona) has evaluated a wide variety of biomarkers of oxidative and inflammatory stress in different models of cellular senescence. This expertise will be available to the project to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in stretch mark formation and to open new potential therapeutic avenues.
