Toward Physicochemical and Rheological Characterization of Different Injectable Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Fillers Cross-Linked with Polyethylene Glycol Diglycidyl Ether.

Nicola Zerbinati,Roberto Mocchi,Sabrina Sommatis,Cristina Maccario,Marina Protasoni,Giuseppe Alonci,Raffaele Rauso,Giulia Grimaldi,Maria Chiara Capillo

doi:10.3390/polym13060948

Nicola Zerbinati, Roberto Mocchi + Show 7 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13060948

Copy DOI

Abstract

(1) Background: Injectable hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal fillers are used to restore volume, hydration and skin tone in aesthetic medicine. HA fillers differ from each other due to their cross-linking technologies, with the aim to increase mechanical and biological activities. One of the most recent and promising cross-linkers is polyethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (PEGDE), used by the company Matex Lab S.p.A., (Brindisi, Italy) to create the HA dermal filler PEGDE family. Over the last few years, several studies have been performed to investigate the biocompatibility and biodegradability of these formulations, but little information is available regarding their matrix structure, rheological and physicochemical properties related to their cross-linking technologies, the HA content or the degree of cross-linking. (2) Methods: Seven different injectable HA hydrogels were subjected to optical microscopic examination, cohesivity evaluation and rheological characterization in order to investigate their behavior. (3) Results: The analyzed cross-linked dermal fillers showed a fibrous “spiderweb-like” matrix structure, with each medical device presenting different and peculiar rheological features. Except for HA non cross-linked hydrogel 18 mg/mL, all showed an elastic and cohesive profile. (4) Conclusions: The comparative analysis with other literature works makes a preliminary characterization of these injectable medical devices possible.

Highlights

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally nonsulfated glycosaminoglycan that is composed of repeating polymeric disaccharides of D-glucuronic acid and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine linked via a β (1,4)-glycosidic bond [1]
Our study was focused on the investigation of the structural matrix, the cohesive and rheological properties of dermal fillers crosslinked with polyethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (PEGDE) containing different concentrations of hyaluronic acid
The rheological and physicochemical properties for seven hyaluronic acid fillers were evaluated and the analysis revealed that non cross-linked hydrogel (18 mg/mL)

Summary

Introduction

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally nonsulfated glycosaminoglycan that is composed of repeating polymeric disaccharides of D-glucuronic acid and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine linked via a β (1,4)-glycosidic bond [1]. HA is constitutively distributed in several biological tissues and fluids and is involved in important biological functions, such as the regulation of cell adhesion and motility, cell differentiation and proliferation [2]. HA is constitutively found in the adult human body and can be identified in the skin, both in the dermis and the epidermis, where it plays a major role providing constant moisture to the skin through its ability to bind considerable amounts of water. HA is associated with collagen and elastin fibers, where it facilitates proper configuration of the extracellular matrix (ECM) networks. The total amount of HA decreases, contributing to the 4.0/). Disorganization of collagen and elastin fibers and to reduced water binding with a consistent loss of moisture. Apparent dehydration, reduced turgidity and loss of elasticity are among the most common changes that characterize skin aging [3]. Over the last few years, increasing attention has been paid to appearance, increasing the demand for HA-based dermal fillers, which have become the material of choice in corrective medical practice

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion