Depigmentation and Rejuvenation Effects of Kinetin on the Aged Skin of Hairless Descendants of Mexican Hairless Dogs

Abstract

The depigmenting and anti-aging effects of kinetin (KN) solutions on the aged skin of hairless dogs were clinically and histologically investigated. Grossly, all KN-treated sites became mildly depigmented. At 50 days of topical treatment with KN solutions, apparent improvement was observed in the skin texture, wrinkling, and pigmentation. At 100 days of KN treatment, both the skin rejuvenation and depigmentation effects became more prominent. Throughout the experimental period of KN treatment, no adverse effects were found in any sites treated with KN solutions. In the colorimetric system, at 100 days of topical treatment with KN solutions, the L* and b* values in the sites treated with KN solutions significantly increased. Histologically, at 50 days of topical treatment with KN solutions, the KN-treated sites showed a decrease in the thickness of the corneal layers. Melanin granules decreased throughout all epidermal layers. In the dermis, the large number of fine collagen and elastic fibers were densely aligned. At the end of the treatment, this agent was equally effective against pigmented lesions irrespective of the concentration of KN solution. The distribution of melanin granules returned to normal in the skin of adult hairless dogs. Throughout the present study, there were no histologic abnormalities in the epidermis and the dermis. These results revealed that topical treatment with lower concentrations of KN solutions normalized hyperpigmentation and improved the aged skin structure of hairless dogs. In addition, it was clarified that KN solutions had no adverse effects on the skin of hairless dogs and that this agent was a safe chemical for long-term application.