Researchers from the University of Bath's Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, supported by a grant provided by Garnier and the British Skin Foundation, have created an innovative UVA filter that also reduces excess iron in the skin. According to the university, scientists in Bath had previously shown that when exposed to the UVA component of sunlight, the skin releases iron and produces free radicals. Free radicals damage skin cells by interacting with fat, protein and cell DNA, while the release of free iron promotes the formation of additional free radicals and has been shown to play a key role in skin ageing and the onset of cancer. The new components are light activated when exposed to relevant doses of UVA and are said to be unique in how they release antioxidants to neutralise free radicals while at the same time capturing excess iron in the skin.
“Antioxidants have already been used as a means to counteract skin damage caused by UVA. However these agents are not effective, since the simultaneous release of iron in the cells continues to generate more harmful free radicals,” said Dr Charareh Pourzand, Researcher in Pharmacy & Pharmacology. “The use of 'naked' iron chelators for skin protection is also not adequate, since such agents would starve the cells from the iron that is necessary.
“The molecules we have developed respond to sunlight and provide a safe solution to this problem. The potential medical impact of this project is significant as the caged-iron chelators could provide a highly effective means of protection against UVA- and UVB-induced skin damage and associated skin cancer.”
