Cited by 236Skin Protection and AgingMitochondrial Function and PathologyGenetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms

Oxidative stress and ageing

Open access
Birch-Machin, M.A., Bowman, A.·2016·British Journal of Dermatology

Abstract

Oxidative stress is the resultant damage due to redox imbalances (increase in destructive free radicals [reactive oxygen species (ROS)] and reduction in antioxidant protection/pathways) and is linked to ageing in many tissues including skin. In ageing skin there are bioenergetic differences between keratinocytes and fibroblasts which provide a potential ageing biomarker. The differences in skin bioenergy are part of the mitochondrial theory of ageing which remains one of the most widely accepted ageing theories describing subsequent increasing free radical generation. Mitochondria are the major source of cellular oxidative stress and form part of the vicious cycle theory of ageing. External and internal sources of oxidative stress include UVR/IR, pollution (environment), lifestyle (exercise and diet), alcohol and smoking all of which may potentially impact on skin although many exogenous actives and endogenous antioxidant defence systems have been described to help abrogate the increased stress. This also links to differences in skin cell types in terms of the UVR action spectrum for nuclear and mitochondrial DNA damage (the latter a previously described UVR biomarker in skin). Recent work associates bioenergy production and oxidative stress with pigment production thereby providing another additional potential avenue for targeted anti-ageing intervention in skin. This new data supporting the detrimental effects of the numerous wavelengths of UVR may aid in the development of cosmetic/sunscreen design to reduce the effects of photoageing. Recently, complex II of the mitochondrial electron transport chain appears to be more important than previously thought in the generation of free radicals (suggested predominantly by non-human studies). We investigated the relationship between complex II and ageing using human skin as a model tissue. The rate of complex II activity per unit of mitochondria was determined in fibroblasts and keratinocytes cultured from skin covering a wide age range. Complex II activity significantly decreased with age in fibroblasts (P = 0·015), but not in keratinocytes. This was associated with a significant decline in transcript expression (P = 0·008 and P = 0·001) and protein levels (P = 0·0006 and P = 0·005) of the SDHA and SDHB catalytic subunits of complex II respectively. In addition there was a significant decrease in complex II activity with age (P = 0·029) that was specific to senescent skin cells, our study being the first to investigate these differences with senescence and skin age. There was no decrease in complex IV activity with increasing age, suggesting possible locality to complex II. Our study provides a future potential biomarker for monitoring the progression of skin ageing.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This review links oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, particularly complex II, to skin ageing, with bioenergetic differences between keratinocytes and fibroblasts as potential ageing biomarkers. It reports that complex II activity, SDHA/SDHB transcript and protein levels decline with age in fibroblasts and in senescent skin cells, while complex IV activity does not.

Key findings

  • In human skin cells, complex II activity per unit mitochondria significantly decreased with age in fibroblasts (P=0.015), but not in keratinocytes; this was associated with significant declines in SDHA and SDHB transcript expression (P=0.008 and P=0.001) and protein levels (P=0.0006 and P=0.005), respectively.
  • Complex II activity also significantly decreased with age specifically in senescent skin cells (P=0.029); no decrease in complex IV activity with increasing age was observed, suggesting possible locality to complex II.
  • Mitochondria produce approximately 90% of cellular energy via oxidative phosphorylation and the electron transport chain, and are a major source of cellular ROS; mtDNA is vulnerable due to proximity to the ETC and limited repair mechanisms.
  • Solar radiation is approximately 6% UVR, 40% visible light, and 54% infrared; UVR is described as the main extrinsic influence on skin ageing, and external/internal ROS sources include UVR/IR, pollution (ultrafine particles <0.1 μm), lifestyle, alcohol, and smoking.

Methods

  • Narrative review of the mitochondrial free radical theory of ageing and oxidative stress in skin, incorporating the authors’ human skin cell investigation.
  • The investigation used fibroblasts and keratinocytes cultured from skin covering a wide age range; complex II activity per unit mitochondria was determined, along with transcript and protein levels of the SDHA and SDHB catalytic subunits, and comparisons with senescence and complex IV.
  • Main analysis reported P-values for age-related changes; no systematic review methods or detailed experimental protocol are provided in this text.

Limitations

  • Stated: the exact causes of ageing remain unknown; further work is required to support the relationship between pollution and premature ageing via mitochondria-mediated mechanisms; complex II’s importance in free radical generation is suggested predominantly by non-human studies.
  • Evident: as a narrative review, it lacks systematic search/inclusion criteria and does not report sample size, age range, culture conditions, or full statistical models for the original skin cell data.
  • Evident: many mechanistic claims rely on cited studies rather than new data, and the review notes ROS can have beneficial signalling roles, complicating antioxidant targeting.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1111/bjd.14906

Cites

33 of 33 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 26 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data
    § Summary

    The age-related decrease in complex II activity in fibroblasts was associated with a significant decline in transcript expression of the SDHA and SDHB catalytic subunits of complex II.

    “This was associated with a significant decline in transcript expression ( P =0.008 and P =0.001) and protein levels ( P =0.0006 and P =0.005) of the SDHA and SDHB catalytic subunits of complex II respectively.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data
    § Summary

    There was no decrease in complex IV activity with increasing age.

    “There was no decrease in complex IV activity with increasing age, suggesting possible locality to complex II.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data
    § Summary

    There was a significant decrease in complex II activity with age that was specific to senescent skin cells.

    “In addition there was a significant decrease in complex II activity with age ( P =0.029) that was specific to senescent skin cells, our study being the first to investigate these differences with senescence and skin age.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data
    § Summary

    The age-related decrease in complex II activity in fibroblasts was associated with a significant decline in protein levels of the SDHA and SDHB catalytic subunits of complex II.

    “This was associated with a significant decline in transcript expression ( P =0.008 and P =0.001) and protein levels ( P =0.0006 and P =0.005) of the SDHA and SDHB catalytic subunits of complex II respectively.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Premisecitation
    § Sources of ROS

    Pollution is another major environmental cause of ROS production.

    “Pollution is another major environmental cause of ROS production [Koohgoli et al., 2016].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Koohgoli et al., 2016

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims. 10
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 8
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § Summary

    Complex II activity significantly decreased with age in fibroblasts, but not in keratinocytes.

    “Complex II activity significantly decreased with age in fibroblasts ( P =0.015), but not in keratinocytes.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § Sources of ROS

    UVR is the main extrinsic influence of skin ageing; either by the production of ROS or via direct DNA damage.

    “UVR is the main extrinsic influence of skin ageing [Kandola et al., 2015; Oyewole et al., 2013]; either by the production of ROS or via direct DNA damage.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Kandola et al., 2015 source

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    • cites Oyewole et al., 2013

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationcitation
    § Sources of ROS

    Since ROS are important signalling molecules, the dose and target of the administered antioxidant would have to be considered to prevent the alteration of cellular homeostasis.

    “Since ROS are important signalling molecules [Desler et al., 2011; Fischer et al., 2012], the dose and target of the administered antioxidant would have to be considered to prevent the alteration of cellular homeostasis.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Desler et al., 2011 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Fischer et al., 2012 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation
    § Sources of ROS

    UVR may increase ROS levels, or cause mtDNA damage directly, which could result in an increase in mitochondrial dysfunction and a further production of ROS in a continuing vicious cycle and a putative increase in photoageing.

    “UVR may increase ROS levels, or cause mtDNA damage directly, which could result in an increase in mitochondrial dysfunction and a further production of ROS in a continuing vicious cycle and a putative increase in photoageing, as mitochondria are thought to play a prominent role in this process [Kandola et al., 2015].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Kandola et al., 2015 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § The Mitochondrial Free Radical Theory of Ageing and Senescence

    More recently the process of mitohormesis has been proposed based on observations that low concentrations of ROS can induce a positive response whilst higher concentrations of ROS promotes damage; different levels of oxidative stress may have opposite biological outcomes.

    “More recently the process of mitohormesis has been proposed based on observations that low concentrations of ROS can induce a positive response whilst higher concentrations of ROS promotes damage; an interesting concept that different levels of oxidative stress may have opposite biological outcomes [Hudson et al., 2016].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Hudson et al., 2016 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § Sources of ROS

    The skin can undergo two distinct types of ageing; intrinsic (chronological) and extrinsic ageing (photoageing) via environmental insults, such as ultra violet radiation (UVR).

    “The skin can undergo two distinct types of ageing; intrinsic (chronological) and extrinsic ageing (photoageing) via environmental insults, such as ultra violet radiation (UVR) [Birket and BirchMachin 2007; Krutman and Schroeder 2009].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Birket and BirchMachin 2007

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Krutman and Schroeder 2009

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationnone given
    § Sources of ROS

    Continuing evidence supports the proposal that mitochondria are heavily implicated in the ageing process.

    “Continuing evidence supports the proposal that mitochondria are heavily implicated in the ageing process and warrants further work in this intriguing area.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation
    § The Mitochondrial Free Radical Theory of Ageing and Senescence

    Within this theory the Vicious Cycle Theory of Ageing was included which proposes that ROS production from the mitochondrial ETC is able to cause damage to the mtDNA found in close proximity.

    “Within this theory the Vicious Cycle Theory of Ageing was included which proposes that ROS production from the mitochondrial ETC is able to cause damage to the mtDNA found in close proximity.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Bandy and Davison 1990

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Kandola et al., 2015 source

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  • May combine two claims.

    Premisereasoning
    § The Mitochondrial Free Radical Theory of Ageing and Senescence

    MtDNA encodes the majority of mitochondrial proteins, so errors in gene expression of mtDNA may result in dysfunctional mitochondrial subunits.

    “MtDNA encodes the majority of mitochondrial proteins, so errors in gene expression of mtDNA may result in dysfunctional mitochondrial subunits.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § The Mitochondrial Free Radical Theory of Ageing and Senescence

    Unlike nuclear DNA (nDNA), multiple copies of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) exist within each cell and are found in close proximity to the electron transport chain (ETC) making them extremely vulnerable to the effects of oxidative stress, exacerbated further by the fact that mtDNA has limited repair mechanisms.

    “Unlike nuclear DNA (nDNA), multiple copies of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) exist within each cell and are found in close proximity to the electron transport chain (ETC) making them extremely vulnerable to the effects of oxidative stress, exacerbated further by the fact that mtDNA has limited repair mechanisms [Anderson et al., 2014].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Anderson et al., 2014 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § The Mitochondrial Free Radical Theory of Ageing and Senescence

    Dysfunctional mitochondria are then thought to contribute to further ROS leakage due to their inefficiency, which could then exacerbate mtDNA damage in a continuing vicious cycle.

    “Dysfunctional mitochondria are then thought to contribute to further ROS leakage due to their inefficiency, which could then exacerbate mtDNA damage in a continuing vicious cycle [Bandy and Davison 1990, Kandola et al., 2015].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Bandy and Davison 1990

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Kandola et al., 2015 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given
    § Sources of ROS

    The Mitochondrial Free Radical Theory of Ageing is one of the most accepted theories as to why we age.

    “In conclusion, the Mitochondrial Free Radical Theory of Ageing is one of the most accepted theories as to why we age”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation
    § The Mitochondrial Free Radical Theory of Ageing and Senescence

    Harman proposed the 'free radical theory of ageing', which suggested that free radicals can affect and are possibly the cause of the ageing process of animals.

    “Harman proposed the 'free radical theory of ageing', which suggested that free radicals can affect and are possibly the cause of the ageing process of animals. [Barja 2013].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Barja 2013 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § The Mitochondrial Free Radical Theory of Ageing and Senescence

    Mitochondria are dynamic organelles found within the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells, and are responsible for the production of the majority (approximately 90%) of cellular energy via oxidative phosphorylation and the electron transport chain (ETC), in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

    “There are a large number of studies into how and why we age that involve the mitochondria which are dynamic organelles found within the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells, and are responsible for the production of the majority (approximately 90%) of cellular energy via oxidative phosphorylation and the electron transport chain (ETC), in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) [Birch-Machin 2006].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Birch-Machin 2006 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisereasoning
    § The Mitochondrial Free Radical Theory of Ageing and Senescence

    As mtDNA encodes subunits of the ETC, ROS-induced damage has the potential to alter ETC function and decrease the efficiency of ATP production.

    “As mtDNA encodes subunits of the ETC, ROS-induced damage has the potential to alter ETC function and decrease the efficiency of ATP production.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
15 of 15
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Cultured fibroblasts and keratinocytes from skin covering a wide age range are representative of in vivo skin ageing.

    “The rate of complex II activity per unit of mitochondria was determined in fibroblasts and keratinocytes cultured from skin covering a wide age range.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The senescent skin cell model reflects the senescent state of cells in aged skin in vivo.

    “In addition there was a significant decrease in complex II activity with age ( P =0.029) that was specific to senescent skin cells, our study being the first to investigate these differences with senescence and skin age.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Complex II activity per unit mitochondria measured in vitro reflects mitochondrial function in vivo.

    “The rate of complex II activity per unit of mitochondria was determined in fibroblasts and keratinocytes cultured from skin covering a wide age range.”
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Authors
Birch-Machin, M. A., & Bowman, A.
Affiliations
  • Dermatological Sciences; Institute of Cellular Medicine; Newcastle University (medical school); Newcastle upon Tyne NE24HH U.K
  • Newcastle University (GB)
Venue
British Journal of Dermatology
Published
2016-09-26
Volume
175
Pages
26-29
ISSN
0007-0963 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2524832026
Cited by
225
References
33
Citations by year
2026: 19 · 2025: 19 · 2024: 20 · 2023: 35 · 2022: 23 · 2021: 27 · 2020: 21 · 2019: 19 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 1
FWCI
2.34
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • British Journal of Dermatology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Newcastle University ePrints (Newcastle Univesity)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Skin Protection and Aging
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Mitochondrial Function and Pathology
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Aging › Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
Keywords
oxidative stress, skin aging, photoaging, succinate dehydrogenase, SDHA, SDHB, keratinocytes, fibroblasts, cellular senescence, reactive oxygen species, antioxidant defense, mitochondrial electron transport chain, ultraviolet radiation, mitochondrial DNA damage, cytochrome c oxidase, pigment production

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