Publications by authors named "Karin Endo"

The dermis is mainly constructed by type I collagen fibers, which provide mechanical strength to the skin by building a frame-like structure, and by elastic fibers, which provide elasticity to respond to movements of the skin. The depletion of collagen fibers and the disappearance of oxytalan fibers, which are a type of elastic fiber, are characteristic changes in photoaged skin. Prostaglandin E (PGE) is one of the chemical mediators involved in inflammation and is responsible for sunburn.

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Background: Autophagy is known as an intracellular cleanup system necessary to maintain homeostasis of the skin. Many studies have pointed out the relationship between aging and the inactivation of autophagy function, which suggests that the inactivation of autophagy occurs in aged skin. However, the aging process of the skin is complicated compared with other organs, because the skin is localized at the border between the inside of the body and the environment.

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Background: The induction of skin pigmentation by ultraviolet (UV) radiation has been shown to result from factors secreted from UV-exposed keratinocytes that enhance melanogenesis in melanosomes (MSs) and stimulates their transfer to keratinocytes. Among those factors, it has been reported that α-melanocyte stimulating hormone, which is converted from the precursor proopiomelanocortin (POMC) following UV exposure, stimulates the transfer of MSs from melanocytes to surrounding keratinocytes.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a red pumpkin seed (RPS) extract on the transfer of MSs to keratinocytes and to clarify the involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on the UVB-induced transfer of MSs.

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