Blood vessels, collagen-based

Proteins act as enzymes, hormones, and antibodies. They maintain fluid balance and acid and base balance. They also transport substances such as oxygen, vitamins, and minerals to target cells throughout the body. Structural proteins, such as collagen and keratin, are responsible for the formation of bones, teeth, hair, and the outer layer of skin, and they help maintain the structure of blood vessels and other tissnes. In contrast, motor proteins use energy and convert it into some form of mechanical work (e.g., dividing cells and contracting muscle). 

In a more recent study, an increase of the skin microcirculatory patterns (skin temperature and blood flow/velocity in the skin capillaries) consequent to application of pure soluble collagen has been reported. These effects were related by the authors to a shortterm inhibition of the transepidermal water loss, causing indirect uptake of excess water by the biopolymers in the dermis and consequent increase of elasticity and pulsation efficacy of the small blood vessels (83). These tests are largely heterogeneous and the results obtained not comparable, being based on different exposure and evaluation methodologies however, all studies report only short-term moisturizing effects. 

---