CNBC - News Article on Nu Skin ArNox Research

[ZON]

CNBC - News Article on Nu Skin ArNox Research
Sat, May 17, 2008

KYOTO, Japan, May 14, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- New
research funded by Nu Skin Enterprises on internal causes of aging has
identified a previously unknown source of superoxide free radicals.
Free radicals from external triggers, such as sun exposure and
cigarette smoke, have long been known to damage skin cells and
components of the skin's extracellular matrix, including collagen and
elastin.

Scientists from Nu Skin Enterprises and Purdue University report their
novel research findings on age-related NADH oxidase (arNOX) this week
in Kyoto, Japan, at International Investigative Dermatology 2008
(IID2008), a major scientific venue for the latest information on skin
biology. The scientists present compelling evidence that arNOX, an
enzyme associated with cell membranes, is present and active on skin
cells. Significantly, arNOX activity increases during the "aging"
years of about 45-70.

"Identifying skin-associated arNOX and its increasing activity with
age is a breakthrough discovery in understanding skin aging," said Zoe
Diana Draelos, MD, primary investigator with Dermatology Consulting
Services, member of the Nu Skin Scientific Advisory Board and one of
the study authors. "Currently, most dermatological research focuses on
correcting skin damage after it occurs.

Identifying an internal source of free radicals in skin, and advancing
an understanding of how and why they are generated, adds to our
ability to address fundamental mechanisms that may combine with
external sources to lead to accelerated skin aging." "Evidence of
arNOX in the skin provides further insights into potentially
revolutionary therapies for skin care, particularly because its
activity correlates with the ages when people begin to see their skin
lose its elasticity and firmness, and notice more discoloration and
lines and wrinkles," remarked Helen Knaggs, PhD, vice president of Nu
Skin global research and development.
"If we can develop innovative ways to inhibit arNOX activity and
prevent the production of free radicals in the first place, then we
can address both sides of the equation -- correcting free radical
damage from external sources, while at the same time preventing free
radical production from internal sources." Authors of the study are
Dale Kern, senior scientist for Nu Skin Enterprises; Dr. Draelos;
Dorothy Morre, PhD, professor of foods and nutrition, Purdue
University; and D. James Morre, PhD, Dow distinguished professor of
medicinal chemistry, Purdue University. Nu Skin has funded ENOX
research by the Morres since 1999.

About arNOX The arNOX enzyme is one in a class of newly-identified
ECTO-NOX (external NADH oxidase or ENOX) proteins that are located on
external cell membranes. ECTO-NOX proteins become increasingly active
to generate additional metabolic energy as cell mitochondria age and
produce less energy. arNOX has been identified in all cells tested,
including serum and saliva and now the dermis and epidermis. Its
unique property is that it generates superoxide at the cell surface
that is capable of damaging adjacent cells, lipoproteins, and other
structural components of the skin's extracellular matrix, such as
collagen and elastin.

Other NOX categories include tumor-NOX, viral-NOX and constitutive, or
normal, NOX.
About IID2008 International Investigative Dermatology 2008 is the
fifth joint meeting of the Society for Investigative Dermatology
(SID), the European Society for Dermatological Research (ESDR) and the
Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology (JSID). IID2008 is
hosted in Kyoto, Japan, May 14-17, and is the only major venue this
year for the presentation of the latest information on skin biology
and skin diseases. The conference program is widely based on any of
the basic and clinical dermatological fields.

Nu Skin Enterprises Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. is a global direct
selling company operating in 47 markets throughout Asia, the Americas
and Europe. The company markets premium-quality personal care products
under the Nu Skin(R) brand, science-based nutritional supplements
under the Pharmanex(R) brand, and technology-based products and
services under the Big Planet(R) brand. Nu Skin Enterprises is traded
on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "NUS." More
information is available at http://www.nuskinenterprises.com.