Dermal benefits of topical D-ribose.

Our aging skin undergoes changes with reductions in collagenous and elastic fibers, fibroblasts, mast cells, and macrophages with free radical production, which can result in reduced skin tone and wrinkle formation. Fibroblasts are important for dermal integrity and function with a decrease in function producing less skin tone, thinning, and wrinkle formation. Dermal levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) decline with aging, potentially altering dermal function. Supplemental D-ribose, a natural occurring carbohydrate, enhances ATP regeneration. D-ribose-based studies demonstrated benefits in both cell culture fibroblastic activities and a subsequent clinical study in women with decreased skin tone with wrinkles. Supplemental D-ribose may offer this needed cellular benefit.

As we age our skin undergoes changes with reductions in collagenous and elastic fibers, fibroblasts, mast cells, macrophages, and a constant interaction with reactive oxygen species, which clinically can be manifested by a loss in elasticity and the production of wrinkles.1–3 Fibroblasts are important for the maintenance of dermal integrity and function and decreased function can clinically result in less skin tone, thinning of the skin, and the formation of wrinkles.

Dermal cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels decline with aging. Muggleton-Harris and DeFuria reported a change in the cellular ATP content in fibroblasts and abnormal ATP turnover with aging, creating an energy deficiency, which can potentially alter dermal function.4 Energy supplementation continues to attract interest. D-ribose, a natural occurring pentose carbohydrate, regenerates ATP levels with improving cellular function following stress, in preserved blood cells, a role in oxidative stress, and more recently in cultured fibroblasts.5–8 Borel and colleagues reported an enhancement in both mitochondrial and cytosolic respiration rates, important markers of fibroblastic activity, with D-ribose in cultured human fibroblasts.8 D-ribose (0.05%) significantly stimulated both mitochondrial and cytosolic oxygen consumption respiratory rates (37% and 31%, respectively; P < 0.05). Furthermore, measured ATP levels revealed a 19% elevation with D-ribose (0.05%) during hypoxia and no benefit in normal oxygenated conditions.

Besides these positive in vitro findings, D-ribose has also demonstrated clinical benefits. A topical D-ribose-based (0.5%) facial lotion was tested in adult women with decreased skin tone and wrinkles. Twenty adult females were evaluated both objectively and subjectively at 14 and 28 days while daily applying this D-ribose-based cosmetic lotion. After 14 days, there was a significant reduction (12.2%) in total wrinkle surface area and a demonstrable (9.1%) reduction in total wrinkle length. Further cosmetic benefits were observed at 28 days though the reduction in total wrinkle surface area of 12.2% remained the same with a further reduction in average wrinkle length to 17.6%. Subjectively, 67% of the adults perceived their skin to be more radiant and glowing with 71% noticing less skin dullness.9 Of note, the Maillard browning reaction occurs between reducing sugars, such as ribose, and amines, causing a browning situation, which may promote self-tanning, another potential added feature for the use of ribose.10 These preliminary studies demonstrated the potential benefits of D-ribose, both in cultured fibroblasts and the described clinical study. The clinical benefits may have the potential to produce a more youthful, radiant, and healthy appearance of the skin.