With regard to skin aging as a function of AGE's (advanced glycation end products) I am conceptually exploring the possibility of topical treatment with ALT-111 (Alagebrium) and/or Aminoguanidine. The logic is fairly simple: ALT-111 in a lotion carrier would serve to break existing AGE bonds while Aminoguanidine would theoretically serve to inhibit reformation of those bonds once broken. To my knowledge no human studies have been conducted along these lines, however, there was a study with rat skin which showed very good results with ALT-111 treatment. I also found another study with standalone Aminoguanidine treatment on human skin samples with positive results. The ALT-111 treatment was for 3 days, with results being measured 3 days, 12 days, and 36 days following treatment. Skin elasticity was improved 21% at day 3 following treatment and was still at 16% increased elasticity at day 36. Again, this was following only 3 days of initial treatment.
Reference for ALT-111 study: (please see attached graph a and graph b)
Arch Biochem Biophys. 2003 Nov 1;419(1):89-96.
Therapeutic potential of breakers of advanced glycation end product-protein crosslinks.
Vasan S, Foiles P, Founds H.
Alteon Inc., 170 Williams Drive, Ramsey, NJ 07446, USA.
svasan@alteon.com
PMID: 14568012
Reference for Aminoguanidine study: (please see attached PDF)