o COLLAGEN AND SKIN AGING

Abstract

Aging is a natural and progressive process; changes occur, endogenous and exogenous stimuli which influence the individual skin aging.The reserve skin great importance to the organic homeostasis, preserving the effectiveness and efficiency of the cells. It provides physical, chemical protection, UV rays and dehydration.Collagen is an important factor in the formation of wrinkles. Skin aging is a multifactorial degenerative process associated with the photoaging, oxidative stress and inflammatory response.Collagen is composed of peptide chains, formed of various amino acids arranged in a triple helix. Thehydroxylysine and hydroxyproline together stabilize the triple helix. This whole set of helical shape results in high resistance. The tropocollagen is responsible for forming the collagen fibrils. Collagen is a stable protein synthesized by fibroblasts and guarantees proper functioning of tissues.Physiological functions by ascorbic acid in restoring skin and collagen synthesis conferred. The type I collagen is the most abundant in the body. The extracellular matrix is responsible for the flexibility and strength of the skin. The collagen undergoes mechanical changes with strong influence in the aging mechanism being a fiber with great diversity, giving elasticity, stability, strength and structure to the systems.Classified clinically into superficial and deep. It can also be classified as static, dynamic and gravitational wrinkles. Richard Glogau created another classification, based on the formation of wrinkles, evaluating photoaging, changes in skin pigmentation, age and use of makeup, classified into types I to IV.In youthful skin, collagen I stand out front of collagen III, while the old skin, the opposite happens. In the aging, there are inevitable structural and functional changes.In the dermis, the fibroblasts decreases, collagen and elastin. It occurs degenerative response of elastic fibers, reducing their elasticity.The sum of multifactorial alteration results in collagen loss and other special features of elements involved. Aging, physiological and pathological interactions affect the collagen structure strengthening the appearance of wrinkles. Modifications of organic charges are assigned individually. In the aging process, structural and functional alterations should be differentiated from physiological to the pathological. We found variability in the thickness of the dermis and epidermis, nerves and skin appendages density in different regions of the body. A decrease in collagen synthesis is constant, becoming stiffer and less elastic.In the following study, was evidenced a clear relation between the collagen and the aging of the skin. Endogenous and exogenous changes entail a significant loss of important structures, as some fibers and collagen. Showing the significant impact on the quality of life of the individual and the importance of seeking options for modulation of aging.