Minimally invasive bipolar fractional radiofrequency treatment upregulates anti-senescence pathways.

BACKGROUND

The sirtuin gene family has been implicated in various anti-senescence pathways. Its connection, if any, with the skin wound healing response has yet to be elucidated.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of our study was to better understand the effects of FRF treatment on the sirtuin anti-senescence pathway in skin.

METHODS

Human abdominal skin was treated with FRF, and then harvested at 0, 2, 14, and 28 days post-treatment to assess for temporal changes in gene expression levels.

RESULTS

Decreased levels of SIRT1, 3, 5, and 7 were observed immediately post-FRF treatment. By Day 2, SIRT1, 6, and 7 expressions increased 50-100%. SIRT6 and 7 expression continued to increase through Day 28. Expression levels of apoptosis genes FoxO3 and p53 decreased, while Bax levels increased by Day 28.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results raise the possibility that sirtuin activity may be used as an accurate corollary to clinical improvement in skin quality.