"The topical combination was particularly effective for reducing
thymine dimer mutations which are associated with skin cancer," explained Jacknin.
The formation of the stable excimer along the lowest singlet excited-state for stacked cytosine molecules may make the formation of cyclobutane cytosine dimer (C<>]C) less efficient compared to the formation of cyclobutane
thymine dimer (T<>T) from a stacked pair of thymine molecules, which do not form a stable excimer.
However,
thymine dimer repair was markedly reduced in mice lacking the VDR, indicating that these mice have defective DNA repair mechanisms in UV-induced damage.
Compared with placebo, treated individuals with low baseline MED had a 50% reduction in epidermal sunburned (apoptotic) cells and nearly a 60% reduction in DNA damage, as measured by
thymine dimer formation.
Compared with placebo, individuals with low baseline MED who were administered the hormone demonstrated a 50% reduction in epidermal sunburned (apoptotic) cells and nearly a 60% reduction in DNA damage, as measured by
thymine dimer formation.
This failure ultimately leads to permanent damage to the DNA--a gene mutation known as a
thymine dimer.
Thymine dimers are caused only by UV light.
Barton has found that electron transfer can fix a mutation known as a
thymine dimer, in which two thymines on the same DNA strand bond together.
(1) In a small 2008 study, a stable formulation of 15% L-ascorbic acid, 1% alpha-tocopherol, and 0.5% ferulic acid was applied topically to normal-appearing human skin for 4 days and was found to impart significant photoprotection against solar-simulated UV radiation and was especially effective at diminishing
thymine dimer mutations, which are linked to skin cancer.
(23-24) Further, ferulic acid has been shown to stabilize both vitamins, with the topical combination yielding photoprotective effects against UVB exposure, including the significant reduction in
thymine dimer formation.
Upon irradiation with ultraviolet (UV) light, two adjacent structures--thymines--along a strand of DNA may fuse into a
thymine dimer. These dimers present roadblocks to normal DNA synthesis and are likely to spawn mutations if they are not repaired before the cell's DNA undergoes replication.
They found that the antioxidant formulation supplemented the antioxidant pool of the skin and conferred significant photoprotection, guarding the skin against erythema and apoptosis as well as effectively suppressing p53 activation and reducing
thymine dimer mutations known to be associated with skin cancer.
DNA damage results when UV light induces covalent bonds between nucleic acid base pairs and forms
thymine dimers, which can alter tumor suppressor gene p53 function, thereby increasing the risk of cutaneous cancers and aging.