All about collagen – acquisition, formula, properties

All about collagen – acquisition, formula, properties

Firstly, the new invention of native fish collagen. Many different cosmetics companies have been searching for improved formula for years. They wanted to discover a form that would be biologically active and could easily penetrate through the epidermal protective barrier of human skin and which is capable of rebuilding collagen structures of protein mesh that is responsible for increasing skin’s tightness.

Great amount of money has been spent on experiments in biotechnological engineering, so that the word “Collagen” could mean something more than just a substance utilised in anti-wrinkle injections or “peptide carrion” obtained from calves’ necks, whose hydrolysates were added to various potions and creams.

However, the research conducted on bovine Collagen has soon proved to be very disappointing.

This form of it is not only incapable of penetrating the deeper layers of the skin, but also biologically inactive (in other words – dead). Furthermore, bovine Collagen was also suspected of being a possible carrier of BSE prions, and so by the end of the 20th century it lost its good name among cosmetologists.

How important is collagen to humans?

Collagen is the most important protein of the human organism. It constitutes about 30% of the total mass of proteins in the human body. In addition it is responsible for the elasticity, firmness and the appropriate level of skin’s hydration, as well as for the continuous renewal of its cells. The condition of most of our body organs, immunity to diseases, as well as our expected lifespan, all directly depend on the quality of it’s in our system. It is the main component of the fibre of the skin, teeth but also vessels. What’s important, it is present in the entire human body and it acts as the material that binds the cells; it takes part in the functions’ life of nearly all systems, organs and tissues. With age, the human organism loses its capability of regaining lost collagen, which produces visible effects of deteriorating state of our skin.

Collagen deficiency leads to the following changes:

•     Defficiency of collagen, Skin dryness
•     Discolouration
•     Cellulite
•     Wrinkles
•     Dull hair and nails
•     Loss of skin’s flexibility
•     Loss of skin’s elasticity
•     Skin loses its natural glow

Why other methods of collagen production have failed?

One of the methods of slowing down the skin’s ageing process caused by Collagen deficiency involves providing it with a different (external) source. The attempts of using at first synthetic and later bovine collagen in cosmetics and in implantology have initially failed to produce the desired effect. This was mostly caused by the fact that recently no biologically active Collagen with amino-acid chains identical to those of humans has ever been obtained before. Invention of the fish Collagen hydration allows preserving the triple helix structure of this protein (usually found only in living organisms). Precisely at that time the real breakthrough has occurred.

It was considered to be one of the most important discoveries in biology in the 20th century.

We remind you you are reading all about collagen – acquisition, formula, properties. According to many scientists, this is probably one of the most significant discoveries in the world of cosmetology and protein biotechnology. The tertiary decay products of fish Collagen penetrate the extracellular matrix of the skin by stimulating fibroblasts to increase their synthesis of systemic Collagen. No other natural cosmetic in the world possesses such wonderful ability.

What should you know about collagen?

The word “collagen” derives from Greek, from the word ‘kolla’, meaning “glue” and a suffix – gen which roughly translates into “to give birth, to produce.” Thus, the name Collagen can be understood as “causing to stick” or simply – “sticky.” This fully captures the primary function of Collagen, which is a protein that “glues” cellular components together, therefore leading to the formation of tissues.

Collagen is present in all the organs, serving as a cell binding material. You can find collagen in organ elements and they form complicated structures of outer and inner organic membranes, such as the peritoneum, pleura, pericardium, as well as the following organs: heart, kidneys, lungs, liver, vessels, bones, and the organ of vision and of course the skin.

Human organism contains different forms of Collagen, depending on the organs in which it is to be found. Our skin contains mostly collagen type I as well as II and IV. Collagen is the main material that builds the skin. 80% of collagen in our body is of type I, 15% of type III and 5% of other types. The type III (so-called “young collagen”) is mostly present in the skin of the foetus, infants and in the healing wounds.

Our body cells are surrounded by an extracellular substance known as “connective tissue.” This substance contains three main groups of biomolecules:

•     Structural proteins (Collagen, Elastin, Fibrillin)
•     Specific proteins
•     Proteoglycans

The basic structural unit of Collagen is Tropocollagen – it has a shape of the rope and a mass of 285kDa. This name stands for the group of fibrous proteins, which are commonly found in organisms of humans and animals. In fact, it is the most important protein in the organism, as it constitutes 30% of the total mass of proteins in the human body and as much as 70% of proteins in the skin. Together with Elastin, it is responsible for the elasticity as well as firmness and tightness of the skin. High resistance to mechanical damage is characteristic for it.

What’s more about collagen?

Throughout our whole life, this protein remains in constant circulation known as collagen turnover. The mature Collagen (used, one which has already fulfilled its role) is degraded and it is then immediately replaced through the activity of fibroblasts and chondrocytes. This process gradually slows down once a person reaches the age of 40. The lack of it in the skin needs to be complemented by the one from an external source. It is characterized by a high resistance to mechanical stress (up to 500kg on cm2). With other fibres and components of the connective tissue it forms skin structure that is responsible for the durability, elasticity, tightness, tension and firmness. It is also a very sensitive substance; it’s structure can be ruined by UV rays, inadequate hydration and nutrition.

Collagen molecular structure

• perfect skin

The distinctive feature of Collagens is that the substantial part of the molecule is formed by a left-hand twisted super helix, which in turn is built of three polypeptide chains that wrap themselves around a common axis (which resembles the shape of a three-strand rope.)The three polypeptide chains that are helically twisted together form a super helix and they constitute the basis of the molecular structure that distinguishes Collagens from other proteins. Responsible for such a spatial structure in the molecule is the composition of amino-acidic polypeptide chains. An important characteristic of this protein is the repeated sequence of three amino acids. The most often recurring sequence in is the Gly-Pro-Hyd triplet. The stability of Collagen is assured by hydroxyproline, which requires the constant supply of Vitamin C.

The effect of hormones on collagen synthesis

The following hormones participate in the process of collagen turnover:

•     Thyroid hormones,
•     Estrogens,
•     Androgens,
•     Parathyroid hormone,
•     Growth hormone and growth factors.

Dynamic balance

The process of collagen turnover in physiological conditions is disrupted during menopause in women and also in elder men. At that time, the destructive processes begin to outweigh the ones of the collagen reproduction. It begins with the ageing process of soft tissue and bone.

•     The skeletal system starts losing its weight within its matrix. The so-called secondary demineralization occurs, the osteoporosis;
•     The vitreous in the eye grows cloudy as a consequence of it’s degradation;
•     The skin is dry and wrinkled;
•     The lack of supporting material causes muscle relaxation;
•     A decrease of living functions of brain, heart, kidneys and liver;
•     The functioning of the gastrointestinal tract occurs.

Collagen and the skin

In conclusion, natural collagen maintains the correct tension and hydration of the skin. The synthesis of it’s in the skin of adults decreases each year by 1% and disappears at the age of about 45-50 years old. The process of collagen loss is more severe in women. Also, the level of substances that stimulate the natural production of it gradually decreases. The regulating factors of collagen metabolism include:

•     Hormones
•     Propeptides released from procollagen
•     Arachidonic acid derivatives
•     Some vitamins such as vitamin C and ions

The effects of collagen loss are the symptoms of ageing, such as:

•     Sagging and thinning skin
•     Wrinkles
•     Dryness and roughness of the skin
•     Loss of natural skin colour