Scientists have just found that a vitamin D-related supplement may be able to reverse one of the mechanisms associated with skin aging, providing a new target and strategy for intervention. There is a layer of white fat directly under the skin known as subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), which serves many functions, including energy storage, thermal insulation, mechanical protection and the secretion of hormones that regulate metabolism. However, as people age, SAT gradually declines and can even disappear, leading to sagging skin and deeper wrinkles on the face and limbs, impaired wound healing and compromised endocrine function.
Until now, the mechanism underlying the aging-associated SAT loss have remained largely unclear. However, a team of researchers led by Professor Chuanmao Zhang set out to investigate the reason behind this loss and found that vitamin D receptor (VDR) signaling was involved. The researchers treated mice with Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS), a rare condition that causes the rapid appearance of signs of aging, with calcipotriol, a drug that activates the vitamin D receptor (VDR).
The study found that, in both natural aging and HGPS, SAT decline was caused by fewer adipocytes rather than a reduction in adipocyte size. The study also demonstrated that adipogenesis, the biological process that turns cells into mature fat cells, was enabled by VDR deficiency. Moreover, the findings suggest that supplementation with the VDR agonist calcipotriol counteracted VDR deficiency, rescued SAT loss, and even extended the lifespan of HGPS mice.
The findings could have implications for future research into skin aging, as maintaining the fat beneath the skin may help address changes associated with its loss. Debra Jaliman, a board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor at Mount Sinai, told Newsweek that while reversing subcutaneous fat loss could matter a great deal for restoring facial volume, the benefit would depend on where the fat is reversed, not only how much there is. "In an aging face there is greater fat in certain areas of the face.
For example, under the chin, the jowls, the neck, and the lower face. This is because the fat is moving down," she said. Jaliman also explained that there is no demonstrated fat-restoration benefit from correcting a vitamin D deficiency, or from increasing vitamin D above normal.
"Trials of ordinary vitamin D in older adults have not demonstrated increased fat or restoration of fat lost from age. The studies were not dedicated studies of facial or dermal fat regeneration." Moreover, she emphasized that vitamin D supplements are different from activating VDR with calcipotriol. "Mouse anti-aging findings are possible to be helpful in humans but not evidence of a benefit in humans.
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