High-dose squalene ingestion increases type I procollagen and decreases ultraviolet-induced DNA damage in human skin in vivo but is associated with transient adverse effects
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Evidence for beneficial effects of squalene on ultraviolet (UV)-induced photoageing of the skin is lacking. AIM: To investigate whether squalene supplementation improves signs and molecular markers of photoageing in human skin in vivo. METHODS: In total, 40 female volunteers aged > 50 years received two different doses [13.5 g/day (low-dose group) and 27 g/day (high-dose group)] of squalene for 90 days. At baseline and at the completion of the study, facial wrinkles were measured using skin replicas. Skin samples were taken to compare type I procollagen and matrix metalloproteinase 1 mRNA levels by real-time reverse-transcriptase PCR, and for type I procollagen immunostaining. Skin samples were also taken 24 h after 2 x minimal erythema dose (MED) of UV irradiation before and after squalene intake to assess UV-induced thymine dimer formation and keratinocytic apoptosis. RESULTS: In total, 37 subjects completed the trial. Transient loose stool was experienced by 35% of volunteers in the low-dose group and 55% in the high-dose group. Facial wrinkles decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in the high-dose group, while procollagen type I mRNA levels and MED increased significantly in the low-dose group. Procollagen immunostaining tended to increase in both groups. Facial erythema decreased and pigmentation increased significantly in both groups. UV-induced keratinocytic apoptosis and thymine dimer staining were substantially reduced in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Daily ingestion of 13.5 or 27 g of squalene per day resulted in antiageing effects in photoaged skin. However, in view of the frequent incidence of loose stool experienced by the subjects, the risk-benefit ratio of high-dose squalene supplementation is too high to recommend it for treating skin ageing.
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In a clinical study, oral supplementation with squalene substantially increased procollagen levels and reduced facial wrinkles and erythema, keratinocytic apoptosis, and thymine dimer levels in facial skin.
“In a clinical study, oral supplementation with squalene substantially increased procollagen levels and reduced facial wrinkles and erythema, keratinocytic apoptosis, and thymine dimer levels in facial skin [131].”
From Boosting the Photoaged Skin: The Potential Role of Dietary Components (2021) · cites this paper as [131]
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“5 g/day of squalene is proven to reduce the facial wrinkling, enhance the type I procollagen expression, and decrease the facial erythema along with substantially reducing the risk of UV-induced damage to the DNA (Murakoshi et al., 1992; Cho et al., 2009).”
BackgroundInfluentialBoosting the Photoaged Skin: The Potential Role of Dietary Components
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- Authors
- Cho, S., Choi, C.-W., Lee, D. H., Won, C.-H., Kim, S. M., Lee, S., Lee, M.-J., & Chung, J. H.
- Affiliations
- Seoul National University (KR)
- Corresponding author
- Chung, J. H.
- Venue
- Clinical and Experimental Dermatology
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 2009-06
- Volume
- 34
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 500-508
- ISSN
- 0307-6938 (ISSN-L)
- 1365-2230
- OpenAlex
- W2009166805
- Cited by
- 35
- References
- 21
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 1
- FWCI
- 0.83
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Clinical and Experimental Dermatology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Skin Protection and Aging
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › melanin and skin pigmentation
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Dermatologic Treatments and Research
- Keywords
- squalene, dietary supplementation, photoaging, skin aging, type I procollagen, MMP-1, ultraviolet radiation, thymine dimers, keratinocyte apoptosis, facial wrinkles, facial erythema, skin pigmentation, gastrointestinal adverse effects, risk-benefit ratio
- MeSH terms
- Aged, Diarrhea, DNA Damage, Female, Humans, Middle Aged, Skin Pigmentation, Squalene, Ultraviolet Rays, Skin Aging, Treatment Outcome, Dietary Supplements, Matrix Metalloproteinase 1, Collagen Type I, Steatorrhea
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