Francesco Tursi

Hyaluronic acid (HA) content in the skin progressively decreases with age; thus, its supplementation—either topical, oral, and by subcutaneous injection—represents a first-line intervention to ameliorate skin aging signs. The present multicenter randomized placebo-controlled trial (RCT) evaluated the skin antiaging efficacy of an In&Out treatment, i.e., a concomitant topical, through a cosmetic cream, and the oral administration of specifically designed HAs, full-spectrum HAs (FS-HAs), in a multiethnic population using instrumental measurements and clinical assessments. The efficacy of FS-HAs was also evaluated in groups receiving FS-HA in a single administration route and in the presence of the placebo in the counterpart route. The above treatment scheme was applied for 56 days to 88 adult subjects, equally divided into four groups. Treatments containing at least one FS-HA molecule showed progressive and significant intragroup ameliorations of all the instrumental skin parameters evaluated. The In&Out treatment resulted in a greater improvement with respect to the two other active groups and in significant intergroup differences with respect to its placebo counterpart. FS-HA treatments resulted, as well, in the significant improvements of clinical parameters that correlated with the subjects’ appreciation recorded by a self-assessment, hence confirming that the In&Out administration of FS-HA represents an interesting approach to counteract skin aging signs.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) content in the skin progressively decreases with age, thus its supplementation - either topical, oral and by subcutaneous injection - represents a first line intervention to ameliorate skin aging signs. The present multicenter randomized placebo-controlled trial (RCT) evaluated the skin antiaging efficacy of an In&Out treatment, i.e. a concomitant topical, through a cosmetic cream, and oral administration of a specifically designed HAs, the Full Spectrum HAs (FS-HA), in a multiethnic population by instrumental measurements and clinical assessments. Efficacy of FS-HAs was evaluated also in groups receiving FS-HA in a single administration route and in presence of the placebo in the counterpart route. The above treatment scheme was applied for fifty-six days to eighty-eight adult subjects, equally divided in four groups. Treatments containing at least one FS-HA molecule showed progressive and significant intragroup ameliorations of all instrumental skin parameters evaluated. The In&Out treatment resulted in a higher improvement with respect to the two other active groups and in significant intergroup differences with respect to its placebo counterpart. FS-HA treatments resulted, as well, in significant improvements of clinical parameters that correlated with the subjects’ appreciation recorded by a Self-Assessment, hence confirming that the In&Out administration of FS-HA represents an interesting approach to counteract skin aging signs.

Belight^3TM, a nutricosmetic formulation containing polyphenol-rich extracts, has previously been demonstrated to be safe and effective in brightening skin color and dark spots in a clinical study involving Asian volunteers. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of this formulation in lightening dark spots in a Caucasian population, which is characterized by lighter skin pigmentation and greater visibility of hyperpigmentation, as well as to determine whether the supplementation increased sensitivity to UV exposure. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study was conducted on 66 male and female participants with skin phototype I to III, all exhibiting facial hyperpigmentation. The color of selected dark spots was assessed using spectrophotometry to measure the L* value of the CIELab color space and the Individual Typology Angle (ITA). L* and ITA levels of dark spots were significantly increased after 6 and 12 weeks of Belight^3TM treatment (respectively by +1.2% and +2.5% for L* and by 12.1% and 22.5% for ITA), and this lightening effect was significantly higher than the placebo after 12 weeks (p < 0.05 for L*; p < 0.001 for ITA). Clinical evaluation of skin complexion evenness and dark spot visibility were also improved in subjects receiving the Belight^3TM treatment, achieving a significant difference with the placebo after 12 weeks. No changes in MED or skin redness were observed during this study. This study confirmed the safety and efficacy of Belight^3TM in lightening dark spots in a Caucasian population without increasing UV sensitivity.

Belight3TM, a nutricosmetic formulation containing polyphenol-rich extracts has previously been demonstrated to be safe and effective in brightening skin color and dark spots in a clinical study involving Asian volunteers. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of this formulation in lightening dark spots in a Caucasian population, which is characterized by lighter skin pigmentation and greater visibility of hyperpigmentation, as well as to determine whether the supplementation increased sensitivity to UV exposure. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study was conducted on 66 male and female participants with skin phototype I to III, all exhibiting facial hyperpigmentation. The color of selected dark spots was assessed using spectrophotometry to measure the L* value of the CIELab color space and the Individual Typology Angle (ITA). The surface of dark spots was measured through image analysis of Visia-CR pictures. Minimal erythemal dose (MED) was measured as well as skin redness (a* value) following UVB exposure. L* and ITA levels of dark spots were significantly increased after 6 and 12 weeks of Belight3TM treatment and this lightening effect was significantly higher than the placebo after 12 weeks. No changes in MED or skin redness were observed during the study. This study confirmed the safety and efficacy of Belight3TM in lightening dark spots in a Caucasian population without increasing UV sensitivity.

Background: Keratin hydrolysates are active components used in food supplements to alleviate aging signs on skin, hair, and nails. Aims: This randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study evaluates a novel keratin hydrolysate obtained from poultry feathers. This feather keratin hydrolysate (FKH) results in a characteristic mix of free L‐amino acids (≥ 83.5%). FKH was administered as a food supplement to a panel of adult women showing aging physiological signs. Methods: Participants were randomly assigned in three groups to receive daily dosages of 500 or 1000 mg of FKH or placebo for 90 days. Parameters of skin roughness, wrinkle features, deep skin moisturization, skin maximum elongation and elasticity, skin thickness, skin anisotropy, skin density, gloss of skin, hair and nails, and nail hardness were evaluated. Subjects also answered a questionnaire related to the treatment efficacy perception. Results: Both FKH treatments showed a significant improvement of all parameters compared to day 0 and to placebo, with an exception for fiber anisotropy and fiber density which showed a significant improvement compared to day 0 and a tendency to improve compared to placebo. These measurements were bolstered by the results of a self‐assessment questionnaire, showing an overall set of positive answers for both treatments compared to placebo. Conclusions: Oral supplementation of FKH for 90 days is associated with an improvement in the appearance of facial skin, hair, and nails. This study highlights the benefits of free L‐amino acids mix as potential aminobiotics and not just as building blocks of proteins, suggesting a new perspective of nutricosmetic food.

Background: Acne vulgaris (AV) is a common skin disorder that affects up 10% of the worldwide population. Its pathogenesis involves a complex interplay of factors, leading to the development of cutaneous lesions (papules, pustules, and comedones). This clinical trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a specific probiotic formulation composed by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum PBS067, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus LRH020, and Limosilactobacillus reuteri PBS072 in improving AV symptoms in adult subject from the APAC region. Materials and methods: A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical study was carried out on 64 women supplemented for 56 days plus a follow-up period. Instrumental evaluations of different skin parameters and clinical assessments of lesions were performed at 28 and 56 days after supplementation (T28 and T56, respectively) and during follow-up (T70). Results: A significant increase in skin hydration was achieved by probiotic group compared to the placebo (p < 0.05). An improved trend in sebum content and pH resulted in a statistically significant difference with respect to placebo (p < 0.05 for the former parameter at T28 and T70; p < 0.05 for the latter at T70). A progressive decrement of lesions was demonstrated at each endpoint considered by probiotic supplementation, reaching significant values for non-inflammatory ones at T56 and T70 (p < 0.05 and p < s0.01, respectively). Conclusions: This specific probiotic formulation may help improving acne symptoms, offering a possible adjuvant therapy to the conventional one and thus overall ameliorating the patient’s quality of life. Key words: Acne vulgaris, Food supplements, Skin disease, Dermatology, Probiotics, Clinical trial

Dietary interventions represent an interesting alternative to pharmacological treatments for improving the quality of life (QoL) of subjects suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a food supplement (FS) containing a probiotic strain, bioactive peptides, and vitamins in relieving heartburn/dyspeptic symptoms in subjects with mild-to-moderate GERD. Fifty-six adult participants were randomly assigned to receive the placebo or the active FS for 28 days. Subjects were asked to record daily the frequency and intensity of heartburn episodes and the intake of over- the-counter (OTC) medications. GERD-QoL and self-assessment questionnaires were also completed every two weeks and at the end of the treatment, respectively. FS was effective in achieving a progressive and significant reduction of heartburn frequency and severity, with an intergroup significant difference at the end of the treatment period. FS group also reported a reduction in the OTC medication intake, whereas placebo administration did not modify the OTC intake. Results from the QoL and self-assessment questionnaires showed that FS administration achieved a progressive and statistically significant intragroup and intergroup improvement in the QoL score and a higher positive response with respect to the placebo treatment.

Insulin resistance (IR) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are relevant concerns in the elderly population; as the world’s population ages, IR and CVD are two universal public health problems. While a link between IR a CVD has been established, the mediating mechanisms are uncertain and rigorous investigations are needed to fully elucidate them. The study aimed at assessing the relationship between epicardial fat (EF), an indicator of cardiovascular risk, and IR in Italian free-living elderly (n = 89). Baseline data from a previous cohort was used. Anthropometric measurements, EF, and IR-related variables, including the HOMA-IR index and other biochemical parameters were obtained. The correlation between EF and IR was explored. Further analysis was conducted to identify significant differences regarding IR variables among EF quartiles. EF correlated positively with glucose levels in females, males and the total population. The pairwise comparison among EF quartiles showed significant differences in glucose levels, HOMA-IR index, triglycerides, and total cholesterol levels. To our knowledge, this is the only study assessing the relationship between EF and IR in healthy elderly, while most of the studies have investigated EF and IR in diseased populations. Further research with a longitudinal approach should be conducted to design concrete conclusions about this relationship.

Background: Acne is a multifactorial inflammatory skin disease affecting the quality of life of acne prone subjects. Several therapeutic approaches are currently used to counteract this condition, mostly having side effects. As acne development has been recently linked to skin and gut dysbiosis, acting on both aspects could represent an alternative and promising approach to ameliorate the acne clinical signs. Material and Methods: A cosmetic product, containing Ectoin, and a food supplement, containing probiotics, were formulated as a combined treatment to target both gut and skin microbiota and evaluated for the improvement of skin appearance on acne prone adult subjects. Eighty male and female subjects, showing acne clinical signs, were assigned to 4 groups to receive the following products: the cosmetic product containing Ectoin + a placebo food supplement, the combined treatment, a cosmetic reference product, specifically formulated for counteracting acne, + a placebo food supplement, the cosmetic reference product + the food supplement with probiotics. Acne lesions, skin sebum content, pH and moisturization were monitored. Results: Clinical evaluations of active acne lesions and comedones, skin complexion evenness and skin inflammatory status were carried out. The combined treatment resulted as effective as the cosmetic reference product in ameliorating the instrumental parameters, and more effective in the dermatological assessment of skin complexion evenness and inflammatory status. Conclusion: The combined treatment proposed, formulated to target both gut and skin microbiota, resulted effective in ameliorating acne clinical signs and could represent a valid alternative to conventional acne management.