Use of creatine or creatine compounds for skin preservation

Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of creatine compounds such as, for example, creatine, creatine phosphate or analogs of creatine, such as creatine-pyruvate, creatine-ascorbate, cyclocreatine, 3 guanidinopropionic acid, guanidinoacetate, homocyclocreatine, guanidino benzoates as energy generating systems and antioxidants for preservation of skin against adverse aging effects and damage secondary to insults such as harmful sun radiations, stress and fatigue. The creatine compounds which can be used in the present method include (1) creatine, creatine phosphate and analogs of these compounds which can act as substrates or substrate analogs for creatine kinase; (2) molecules that mimic the biological activity of creatine (3) molecules that modulate the creatine kinase system.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 852,966, filed on May 10, 2001, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09 / 344,427, filed on Jun. 25, 1999 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,242,491 B1, issued on Jun. 5, 2001); the entire contents of each of the aforementioned applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference. [0002] Creatine and creatine compounds are discussed in related applications including U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08 / 853,174, filed on May 7, 1997; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08 / 914,887, filed on Aug. 19, 1997; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08 / 736,967, filed on Oct. 25, 1996; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 285,395, filed on Apr. 2, 1999. The entire contents of each of the applications, including all references cited therein, and hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The creatine kinase / creatine phosphate energy system is only one component of an elabo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] The present invention relates to methods for protecting skin tissue against age related damage or insults such as harmful UV radiation, stress and fatigue by preserving energy pools and protecting against free radical production and oxidative stress. This is achieved by administering an amount of a creatine compound or compounds which modulate one or more of the structural or functional components of the creatine kinase / phosphocreatine system sufficient to prevent, reduce or ameliorate skin damage or skin aging. Compounds which are effective for this purpose include the natural compound creatine in its different hydration or salt forms and analogs of creatine. The compounds can be mixed in with creams, oils, emulsions and the like to be spread readily on skin surfaces. Alternatively, the compounds also can be packaged in a supplement form.

[0007] The present invention also provides compositions containing creatine compounds in combination with a pharmaceutically or cosmetically acceptable carrier, and effective amounts of other agents which act on tissue preservation such as antioxidants (e.g., CoQ10), vitamins such as C, B5, B6, B9, E, energy enhancing agents (for example ATP, pyruvate, nicotinamide) and skin softeners to slow the process of aging.

[0008] Packaged formulations for preventing or slowing the process of aging also are the subject of the present invention. The packaged formulations include a container holding the creatine compound, in combination with a pharmaceutically or cosmetically acceptable carrier, along with instructions for administering the same for the purpose of preventing, ameliorating, arresting or eliminating the process of skin aging or skin damage.

Problems solved by technology

Mitochondria are the major source of oxygen radicals through the respiratory chain and are also deeply affected by reactive oxygen species (ROS), resulting in serious risks to their function.

Mitochondrial dysfunction could result in defects in electron transport, oxidative phosphorylation and energy production resulting in cell damage and ultimately cell death.

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