Mitochondria are small cellular structures that play a crucial role in energy production and play an essential role in the functioning and care of the skin.
What are mitochondria?
Mitochondria are organelles present in all eukaryotic cells, including skin cells. Its main function is to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the molecule responsible for providing energy to cells to carry out their functions.
They carry out a vital process called cellular respiration, which involves the breakdown of glucose and other nutrients to generate ATP. The process is carried out in two main stages:
- glycolysis, which occurs in the cytoplasm,
- and aerobic respiration, which takes place in the mitochondria.
During aerobic respiration, mitochondria use oxygen to completely break down glucose and other organic compounds, generating a large amount of ATP, which becomes the energy source necessary for cells to perform all their vital activities, including skin maintenance and regeneration.
What are mitochondria used for?
Mitochondria are essential for the body’s cells to function properly. They provide energy, so their function is essential for growth, repair, protein synthesis, cell division and other vital metabolic processes.
In addition to their energetic function, mitochondria also play an important role in cell signaling and in the regulation of apoptosis (programmed cell death). They are crucial processes for the balance and homeostasis of the skin, helping to keep it healthy and functioning optimally.
How do mitochondria influence skin care?
Proper functioning of the mitochondria is essential for maintaining a healthy and youthful appearance, as the proper functioning of the mitochondria in skin cells ensures adequate ATP production, which guarantees optimal cellular activity and efficient skin regeneration.
But all is not well with mitochondria, as they are also exposed to stressors such as oxidative stress and damage caused by the sun’s ultraviolet rays. These factors can adversely affect skin health by compromising the mitochondrial function of the skin, promoting early aging, loss of elasticity and the appearance of wrinkles.
Importantly, a balanced diet, regular exercise and proper use of skin care products can help maintain optimal mitochondrial function. Foods rich in antioxidants, such as fruits and vegetables, can protect mitochondria from oxidative damage. In addition, certain ingredients in skin care products, such as coenzyme Q10, vitamins C and E and alpha-lipoic acid, have been shown to have beneficial properties for mitochondrial function and skin health.
Mitochondria and free radicals
Free radicals, which are highly reactive molecules containing an unpaired electron in their molecular structure, are generated in cells, including mitochondria, although most are produced in other parts of the cell, such as the endoplasmic reticulum, cytoplasm and cell membranes.
Oxidative stress can lead to an imbalance and a excessive accumulation of radicals. Oxidative damage can have negative effects on mitochondrial function by affecting its ability to produce energy efficiently, which in turn can affect the health and function of cells and tissues.
In addition, free radical accumulation and oxidative damage can also affect other components of mitochondria, such as proteins and lipids of mitochondrial membranes, altering their structure and function.
Commitment to quality
This text on mitochondria has been prepared by professional editors. In addition, we have relied on experts in medicine, engineering and aesthetics as a source of information, as well as specific studies to maintain the quality of what we publish.
At Sisneo Bioscience we are committed to publish truthful and contrasted information. And to update or correct it as soon as new knowledge becomes available.
Among others, we have used the following sources:
- Alba Naudí, Mariona Jové, Victoria Ayala, Manuel Portero-Otín andReinald Pamplon. «Glicación de proteínas mitocondriales, estrés oxidativo y envejecimiento» en Elsevier. 2010 May-Jun vol.45 num.3. (1156-166) doi: 10.1016/j.regg.2010.02.001.
- Sreedhar A, Aguilera-Aguirre L, Singh KK. «Mitochondria in skin health, aging, and disease» en Cell Death Dis. 2020 Jun 9;11(6):444. doi: 10.1038/s41419-020-2649-z.
