Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Botox and Wrinkle Reduction

Introduction of Botox

The medicine Botox® is actually botulinum toxin released by Clostridium botulinum. Clostridium botulinum produces seven serotypes of the toxin that is botulinum toxin A±G but the commonly used Botox in the treatment of wrinkle is botulinum toxin A.(BT-A). Besides, it is a neurotoxin that is made up of a light chain and heavy chain linked by a single disulphide bond.  (Image Adapted from Centerr for Cellular Molecular Biology in Hyderabad )                                                                                                    
The botulinum toxin initial uses were for strabismus(crossed eye), blepharospasm (uncontrollable blinking), and cervical dystonia (wry neck). (Tortora G.J, Derrickson.B. 2010.) In the year of 2002, it was approved to be used cosmetically to treat facial lines and wrinkles. Follow by then, in the year 2004, FDA approved Botox for treating excessive underarm sweating. 

The presence of high doses of botulinum toxin in food causes food poisoning and could be fatal. They can enter the body easily and interfere with the transmission of nerve impulses, causing disturbances in sensory and also paralysis of the respiratory muscles, leading to suffocation. However, the Botox used for injections is diluted with saline or other liquid. Thus, the dose given is so small that it does not cause significant harmful effect. (eMedicineHealth. 2010.) 
Figure 2: Botox Available in Market
 (Image Adapted from BotoxTreatment.com)

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