A designer mixture of six amino acids promotes the extracellular matrix gene expression in cultured human fibroblasts

Abstract

ABSTRACT The deterioration of the skin is caused by dermatological disorders, environmental conditions, and aging processes. One incisive strategy for supervising the skin aging process is implementing healthy nutrition, preserving a balanced diet, and a good supply of food supplements. Here, we compared H-Pro-Hyp-OH peptide, hydrolyzed collagen, and an original mixture of six amino acids (we named 6aa)—including glycine, l-alanine, l-proline, l-valine, l-leucine, and l-lysine—effects on the production of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, particularly the elastin, fibronectin, collagen 1, and collagen 4. Treatment of BJ human skin fibroblasts with the 6aa mixture upregulated elastin, fibronectin, and collagen 1 gene expression, without affecting the expression of anti-reactive oxygen species enzymes. Moreover, the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway seems to be involved, at least in part. Collectively, these results suggest that the six amino acid mixture exerts beneficial effects in human skin fibroblasts.