7‑MEGA™ 500 regulates the expression of COX‑2, MMP‑3 and type 1 procollagen in UVB‑irradiated human keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts

AlaskOmega(R) Omega 7 500, also known as Omega7 fatty acid or 7MEGA, is a highly concentrated palmitoleic acid (C16:1). Little is known about how 7MEGA regulates skin inflammation and wrinkle formation in cultured skin cells. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of 7MEGA on the expression of cyclooxygenase2 (COX2), matrix metallopeptidase (MMP)1/3 and type 1 procollagen, which are markers of skin inflammation and wrinkle formation, in ultraviolet B (UVB)irradiated human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) and keratinocytes (HaCaT). No toxicity was observed upon treatment of HDFs and HaCaT cells with 0.52.5 microl/ml 7MEGA. The exposure of HaCaT cells to 10 mJ/cm2 UVB for 6 h resulted in increased protein and/or mRNA expression of COX2 and MMP3. Treatment of HaCaT cells with 2.5 microl/ml 7MEGA suppressed the UVBinduced expression of COX2 and MMP3 in these cells. In addition, treatment with 2.5 microl/ml 7MEGA attenuated the UVBinduced expression and phosphorylation levels of cFos and cJun, two components of the activator protein1 (AP1) transcription factor, in HaCaT cells. Exposure of HDFs to 60 mJ/cm2 UVB for 6 h significantly decreased the expression of type 1 procollagen protein, whereas treatment with 2.5 microl/ml 7MEGA partially reversed the effects of UVB on the expression of type 1 procollagen protein. These results demonstrated for the first time that 7MEGA regulated the expression of COX2, MMP3 and type 1 procollagen in UVBirradiated skin cells. The present study suggested that 7MEGA may serve as a novel agent against UVBinduced skin inflammation and damage.