Proteoglycans comprise a family of complex macromolecules consisting of a core protein with covalently attached glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains. The skin anti-aging effects of oral administration of proteoglycan fractions with different molecular weights from salmon nasal cartilage were investigated in a hairless mouse model of skin aging; aging was caused by repeated ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation. Three proteoglycan fractions of different molecular weights were prepared from salmon nasal cartilage water extract by ion-exchange column chromatography and gel filtration column chromatography. Physiological and histological analysis of the skin indicated that oral administration of high molecular weight proteoglycan inhibited UVB-induced skin aging, defined as increased erythema, increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL), decreased hydration, and epidermal and dermal hypertrophies. The serum and dorsal skin inflammatory cytokine levels indicated that high molecular weight proteoglycan acts on gut immunity and improves skin by inhibiting surplus inflammatory cytokines produced by UVB irradiation. These results suggest that high molecular weight proteoglycan from salmon nasal cartilage is effective in preventing skin aging.

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