Pentapeptide-3V (Vialox) and Nicotinic Acetylcholine (ACHR)

Vialox, also termed Pentapeptide-3V, is a peptide developed to induce partial muscle paralysis, potentially resulting in a decreased prevalence of wrinkles and creases forming along skin structures.^[1]

Pentapeptide-3V may prevent muscle contraction by exhibiting a curare-like effect at the neuromuscular junction, disallowing the nervous system signals from reaching the muscles.

Pentapeptide-3V is of primary interest because of its influential ability to communicate between muscles and nerves.

Pentapeptide-3V may affect the signal transmission between nerves and muscles. In normal conditions, signals are transmitted following the release of acetylcholine from its axon by nerves. Contraction occurs following the conduction of acetylcholine across the neuromuscular junction to bind to a receptor on the muscle. Pentapeptide-3V appears to halt contraction by binding to the AChR.^[3] By doing this, it may block acetylcholine from binding. This may result in a reduced amount of acetylcholine binding and reduced strength and number of muscle contractions.

Acetylcholine appears to bind to a muscle receptor, limiting sodium ion release at the neuromuscular junction. Depolarization occurs, resulting in electrical pulses that cause wrinkles and muscle contraction. By binding to AChR, Pentapeptide-3V may potentially inhibit this process. When Pentapeptide-3V binds to AChR, it may inhibit acetylcholine binding.

Pentapeptide-3V appears to only affect peripheral AChRs and may not potentially affect central neuronal receptors, unlike the other nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists. This suggests that Pentapeptide-3V only acts on the neuromuscular junction.

The overall result of Pentapeptide-3V activity is suggested to be a reduction in acetylcholine binding following the reduction in the frequency and intensity of muscular contractions.^[4]

Pentapeptide-3V may potentially reduce average skin roughness by 11% and relief by 8%. Because relief is proportional to wrinkle size, Vialox can reduce wrinkles by an average of 8%. These are in approximately 60% and 47% of the animal subjects examined. According to Reddy et al. “this product is effective in smoothing … wrinkles and provides an immediate tightening effect to the skin.”^[5]

Pentapeptide-3V, a protein composed of lysine, threonine, and serine, is considered an abundant protein in skin collagen. It appears to act directly on the dermis to stimulate collagen production. Ancillary compounds examined in studies, such as Vitamin A, according to research conducted by specialists in the Department of Dermatology, suggest that Pentapeptide-3V may potentially increase collagen growth, improving skin compaction. Pentapeptide-3V may stimulate collagen production in the skin, reversing aging and minimizing wrinkles. Vialox may also improve the production of melanin to act in mitigatory fashion against UV radiation.

 

Disclaimer: The products mentioned are not intended for human or animal consumption. Research chemicals are intended solely for laboratory experimentation and/or in-vitro testing.  Bodily introduction of any sort is strictly prohibited by law.  All purchases are limited to licensed researchers and/or qualified professionals. All information shared in this article is for educational purposes only.

 

References

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1. Servent, D. et al. Only Snake Curaremimetic Toxins with a Fifth Disulfide Bond Have High Affinity for the Neuronal α7 Nicotinic Receptor. J. Biol. Chem. 272, 24279–24286 (1997) DOI: 10.1074/jbc.272.39.24279
2. Zhmak, M. N., Utkin, Y. N., Andreeva, T. V., Kudryavtsev, D. S., Kryukova, E. V., Tsetlin, V. I., … & Shelukhina, I. V. E. (2017). U.S. Patent No. 9,550,808. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
3. Schagen, S. K. (2017). Topical peptide treatments with effective anti-aging results. Cosmetics, 4(2), 16.
4. Gupta, V. K. Biotechnology of Bioactive Compounds: Sources and Applications. (John Wiley & Sons, 2015)
5. Reddy, B. Y., Jow, T., & Hantash, B. M. (2012). Bioactive oligopeptides in dermatology: Part II. Experimental dermatology, 21(8), 569-575.