D115. A Role for Tannic Acid in Restoring Elastogenesis Impaired by Common Aesthetic Agents

PURPOSE: Aesthetic management of aging skin relies on precise extracellular matrix (ECM) homeostasis to maximize youthful resilience, fullness, and elasticity while mitigating risk of dermal fibroses. Elastogenesis is critical to this. Currently, several 'natural agents' - growth factors, vitamins C and D3, hyaluronic acid (HA), and ferulic acid (FA) - are marketed to augment aesthetic outcomes in plastic surgery, however, these agents carry pleiotropic effects on ECM homeostasis and with some hindering elastic fiber formation while promoting fibrosis. Our team has demonstrated the benefit of tannic acids (TAs) to protect new elastic fibers from premature degradation. Here we sought to assay these agents with or without TAs to evaluate for ECM modifications. METHODS: In vitro evaluation of a) human dermal fibroblast culture and b) whole dermal explants were treated with Vitamins C and D3, hyaluronic acid (HA), and ferulic acid (FA). Each parallel culture was maintained in the presence or absence of tannic acid (TA) at 2.0 and 20.0 micro-molar concentrations. RESULTS: Vitamins D3, C, and HA boosted collagen and fibronectin synthesis but suppressed elastic fiber formation, while FA suppressed all ECM formation. Introducing 2 micro-molar TA to cultures reinstated regular elastic fiber synthesis, as well as improving collagen type 1 and fibronectin synthesis in FA-treated samples. 20 micro-molar TA in parallel cultures led to irregular elastin aggregates, causing widespread elastosis. CONCLUSION: TA in micro-molar levels can counteract the elastin inhibitory effects of Vitamin D3, HA, and FA, potentially elucidating the poor survival of fat grafts in HA-rich regions.