Liquid collagen from freshwater fish skin ameliorates hydration, roughness and elasticity in photo-aged skin: a randomized, controlled, clinical study

Abstract

Background/objectives: Collagen is commonly used in diverse forms as a functional component in skincare products. On the other hand, the effects of collagen on human skin are controversial. Dietary collagen hydrolysates from freshwater Pangasius hypophthalmus fish skin ameliorated photo-aged skin of hairless mice. This study conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to determine if liquid fish collagen (Collagen-Tripep20™, Tripep20) as a drink strengthens skin health and quality.

Subjects/methods: In this clinical trial, 85 subjects aged 35-60 yrs were diagnosed with photo-aged skin. Eighty-five subjects were randomized to receive either Tripep20 (n = 44) or placebo (n = 41). Seventy-eight subjects fully participating for a 12-week period consumed 1,000 mg of Tripep20 (n = 41) or placebo (n = 37) in a 50-mL bottle as a daily drink. The intend-to-treat and per-protocol populations were 85 and 78, respectively. Skin hydration, wrinkles, and elasticity were assessed at 0 (baseline), 6, and 12 weeks during the study period.

Results: Skin hydration in the Tripep20 group was significantly higher from 6 weeks (P < 0.001) than the baseline. After 12 weeks, the Crow's-feet visual score and skin roughness (R_a, R_q, and R_max) were significantly improved in the Tripep20 group than in the placebo group (P < 0.05). Consuming liquid collagen Tripep20 greatly enhanced skin elasticity (Gross R2, Net R5, and Biological elasticity R7) in 6 weeks compared to the placebo group. The Tripep20 group showed a significant increase in skin elasticity from the baseline after 6 and 12 weeks (P < 0.001). Neither abnormal symptoms nor adverse events were encountered during the study period in subjects ingesting Tripep20 or placebo. The changes in parameters related to hematology and clinical chemistry were within the normal ranges.

Conclusion: Oral consumption of liquid collagen Tripep20 was safe and well-tolerated. The results of this study show that freshwater fish-derived liquid collagen Tripep20 can be used as a healthy functional food ingredient to improve skin moisturizing, anti-wrinkling, and elasticity in an aging population.

Keywords: Collagen; clinical trial; elasticity; fresh water; skin aging.

Fig. 1. Subject recruitment and allocation for the randomized clinical trial. Hydrolyzed fish collagen (Collagen-Tripep20™, Tripep20) was prepared from Vietnam pangasius fish (Pangasius hypophthalmus) skin by collagenase digestion. Liquid collagen (1,000 mg Tripep20) or placebo in a 50 mL bottle was administered orally to subjects as a daily drink.

Fig. 2. Effects of hydrolyzed fish skin collagen (Collagen-Tripep20™, Tripep20) on skin hydration (A) and its changes (B) in subjects receiving Tripep20 or placebo. Liquid collagen (1,000 mg Tripep20) or placebo in a 50 mL bottle was administered orally to the subjects as a daily drink. Skin hydration was analyzed using a Corneometer CM825 device.

A.U., arbitrary units. ^aP-values for Wilcoxon signed-rank test, compared to baseline values. ^bP-values for repeated measures analysis of variance with contrast test, compared to baseline values. ^cP-values for the Mann–Whitney U test using delta values, compared values of the Tripep20 versus the placebo. ^***P < 0.001 (Wilcoxon signed-rank test); ^##P < 0.01 (repeated measures analysis of variance with contrast test); ^†††P < 0.001 (Mann-Whitney U test using delta values).

Fig. 3. Changes in Crow’s-feet scores and skin roughness parameters in subjects receiving hydrolyzed fish skin collagen (Collagen-Tripep20™, Tripep20) or placebo. Liquid collagen (1,000 mg Tripep20) or placebo in a 50 mL bottle was administered orally to subjects as a daily drink. (A) Changes in the visual analysis of Crow’s-feet scores compared to the baseline values. (B) Changes in the skin wrinkling parameter R_a compared to the baseline values (arithmetic average roughness). (C) Changes in the skin-wrinkling parameter R_q compared to the baseline values (root mean square roughness). (D) Changes in skin-wrinkling parameter R_max compared to the baseline values (maximum roughness depth). (E) Representative PRIMOS 3-dimensional pictures of eye wrinkles on Crow’s feet area of the baseline, at 6 weeks, and 12 weeks were shown.

The crow’s feet visual grade was scored by dermatologists, and the R_a, R_q, and R_max values were measured using a PRIMOS High Resolution. The data are expressed as the mean ± SD. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare with the baseline. A Mann-Whitney U test using delta values was used to compare the values between the Tripep20 and the placebo. ^*P < 0.05, ^***P < 0.001 (Wilcoxon signed-rank test); ^†P < 0.05, ^††P < 0.01, ^†††P < 0.001 (Mann-Whitney U test using delta values).

Fig. 4. Changes in the skin elasticity parameters in subjects receiving hydrolyzed fish skin collagen (Collagen-Tripep20™, Tripep20) or placebo. Liquid collagen (1,000 mg Tripep20) or placebo in a 50 mL bottle was administered orally to subjects as a daily drink. (A) Changes in the skin elasticity parameter R2 compared to the baseline values (Gross elasticity). (B) Changes in the skin elasticity parameter R5 compared to the baseline values (Net elasticity). (C) Changes in the skin elasticity parameter R7 compared to the baseline values (Biological elasticity).

The R2, R5, and R7 values were measured using a Cutometer MPA580 device, and changes from baseline values are shown with A.U. The data are expressed as the mean ± SD. A significant difference was evaluated with repeated measures analysis of variance contrast test for the comparison with the baseline and to compare the values between the Tripep20 and placebo. A.U., arbitrary units. ^**P < 0.01, ^***P < 0.001; ^†††P < 0.001.