Expression of sodium-dependent vitamin C transporter in rat dermal fibroblasts

Abstract

Background: Vitamin C is one of the most typical types of water-soluble antioxidants that exerts a variety of biochemical actions on a living body. It acts on the skin by promoting wound healing, preventing skin aging, and inhibiting skin cancer. It also works not only as an antioxidant, protecting the skin from UV radiation but also as an anti-inflammatory agent. It reinforces immunity as well. Recent studies proved the whitening effect of vitamin C, and it can be instilled into the skin by way of iontophoresis. When vitamin C is transported in vivo it is either by simple diffusion or by a transporter. Only a small amount is transported by simple diffusion and the transporter is responsible for most of the vitamin C transport. This study was designed to evaluate the presence of sodium dependent vitamin C transporter (SVCT) and to identify which factor controls its expression. Methods: Expressions of SVCT 1 and 2 mRNA in the rats' dermal fibroblast were measured by RT-PCR at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours. Results: The results were used to compare the expression levels of SVCT-1 and SVCT-2 when treated with TGF-β, estradiol, and retinoic acid. Estradiol showed the highest level of expression of SVCT-1 and SVCT-2. The next highest was TGF-β, followed by retinoic acid. Conclusion: SVCT-1 and SVCT-2 were found to be expressed in the rats' dermal fibroblasts, and exposure to estradiol, TGF-β and retinoic acid resulted in a higher degree of their expression.