Investigation of the Degradation-Retarding Effect Caused by the Low Swelling Capacity of a Novel Hyaluronic Acid Filler Developed by Solid-Phase Crosslinking Technology

Abstract

BackgroundA variety of hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers demonstrate unique physical characteristics, which affect the quality of the HA filler products. The critical factors that affect the degradation of HA gels have not yet been determined.ObjectiveOur objective was to determine the characteristics of HA gels that affect their resistance to the degradation caused by radicals and enzymes.MethodsThree types of HA fillers for repairing deep wrinkles, Juvederm Ultra Plus (J-U), Restylane Perlane (Perlane), and Cleviel, were tested in this study. The resistance of these HA fillers to enzymatic degradation was measured by carbazole and displacement assays using hyaluronidase as the enzyme. The resistance of these fillers to radical degradation was measured by the displacement assay using H2O2.ResultsDifferent tests for evaluating the degradation resistance of HA gels can yield different results. The filler most susceptible to enzymatic degradation was J-U, followed by Perlane and Cleviel. The HA filler showing the highest degree of degradation caused by H2O2 treatment was Perlane, followed by J-U, and then Cleviel. Cleviel showed higher enzymatic and radical resistances than J-U and Perlane did. Furthermore, it exhibited the highest resistance to heat and the lowest swelling ratio among all the fillers that were examined.ConclusionThe main factor determining the degradation of HA particles is the gel swelling ratio, which is related to the particle structure of the gel. Our in vitro assays suggest that the decrease in the swelling ratio will lead to a retarding effect on the degradation of HA fillers.

<p>Hyaluronan Dermal Fillers: Efforts Towards a Wider Biophysical Characterization and the Correlation of the Biophysical Parameters to the Clinical Outcome</p>

“…In the field of aesthetic medicine, hyaluronic (HA)-based dermal fillers are among the most used products for the non-invasive treatment of skin defects. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] Characterization studies of the commercial gels are intensifying since strongly aiding clinicians in the optimal use of available products also contributing to the Correspondence: Chiara Schiraldi via De Crecchio 7, Naples 80138, Italy Tel +39 081 5667546 Fax +39 081 5665897 Email chiara.schiraldi@unicampania.it establishment of the correlation between the biophysical parameters of a gel and the clinical outcome.…”

Hyaluronic acid‐hydroxyapatite nanocomposite hydrogels for enhanced biophysical and biological performance in a dermal matrix

“…The main factors contributing to improve the skin wrinkles are related to physical properties of injectable fillers; volumetric longevity and gel stiffness . In particular, it can be inferred how long wrinkle improvement would maintain according to gel persistence with biostability .…”

“…The main factors contributing to improve the skin wrinkles are related to physical properties of injectable fillers; volumetric longevity and gel stiffness. 6,24,25 In particular, it can be inferred how long wrinkle improvement would maintain according to gel persistence with biostability. 15 According to our previous study, HAc-nanoHAp filler maintained 60% in volume after 4-week injection into nude mouse skin, whereas pure HAc drastically degraded away, retaining only 40%.…”

“…An injectable dermal filler has been developed into a hydrogel form with high water uptake capacity to lift the tissue matrix . The ideal filler requires additional properties such as high viscoelasticity and longevity for better lifting capacity and stable maintenance of the strengthened state of skin …”

“…5 The ideal filler requires additional properties such as high viscoelasticity and longevity for better lifting capacity and stable maintenance of the strengthened state of skin. 6,7 The most prevalent product for injectable hydrogel fillers is hyaluronic acid (HAc), since it has a unique viscoelastic nature along with biocompatibility and nonimmunogenicity. [8][9][10] However, its fast degradation is one of the most severe drawbacks for application as a filler; it is naturally absorbed into our body in a short period of time, serving only as a temporary filler.…”