( Clinical Poster Presented at Society fo...)AGI Dermatics Presents Comparative Data That Indicates OCTN-1 Skin,Cells Have the Ability to Recognize, Transport and Utilize,L-ergothioneine (EGT) As A Protector Against Oxidative Damage,Health

FREEPORT, N.Y., May 16, 2007 /PRNewswire/ -- AGI Dermatics recently announced new comparative clinical data that indicates that OCTN-1 skin cells have the ability to recognize, transport and utilize L-ergothioneine (EGT) as a protector against oxidative damage, and importantly, that (EGT) acts as a more powerful and efficient antioxidant than idebenone, scavenging reactive oxygen species and reducing UV-induced hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The data was presented at the 68th Annual Meeting of the Society for Investigative Dermatology, May 9 - 12, in Los Angeles, CA.

"We are very excited that this clinical work demonstrates that OCTN-1 plays a vital role in the active accumulation and utilization of EGT for the treatment of photodamaged skin," said Daniel Yarosh, PhD, President, AGI Dermatics. "This data confirms that L-ergothioneine is a natural part of the skin's antioxidant system."

EGT is an exclusive and maximized natural amino acid that has been used in topical applications. The cellular receptor and transporter for EGT, OCTN-1 has recently been identified and is responsible for the intracellular accumulation of this naturally occurring antioxidant. However, there have been questions of the role of EGT and its receptor/transport, OCTN-1.

To examine this, the mRNA expression in cultured normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) and normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) was analyzed. Results indicate OCTN-1 mRNA was detectable equally in both NHEK and NHDF with quantitative measurements by real-time PCR. To further investigate any differences in production of OCTN-1 and to assure production of OCTN-1 in both NHEK and NHDF, the study also looked at the transcription of the OCTN-1 mRNA into OCTN-1 protein. Results indicate OCTN-1 protein isoforms were more abundant in NHDF than NHEK, though still detectable in NHEK, as shown
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