Comparison of Bio-Revitalizing Injective Products: A Study on Skin Fibroblast Cultures

Abstract

Bio-revitalization is a commonly used technique in aesthetic medicine for improving skin quality and appearance by intra-dermal injection of hyaluronic acid (HA)-containing compounds. The present study compares different HA-containing injectables regarding their effects on cultured skin fibroblasts over time (24, 48, and 72 hr) by using RT-PCR and a panel of genes involved in dermal integrity. Human dermal fibroblasts were seeded on a layer of five different commercial medical devices containing 6.2 mg/mL 10 mg/mL 10%, 13 mg/mL and 20 mg/mL, respectively, of HA. The products differ not only in HA concentration but also in the content and quality of other ingredients; moreover, one of these products contained cross-linked HA. Differences among medical devices were found. In particular, HA concentration seems to be inversely correlated to elastin gene activation. Regarding the neutrophil elastase gene, the two medical devices with the higher concentration of HA displayed the greater effect. Genes encoding for hyaluronan synthase 1, hyaluronidase 1, and desmoplakin were enhanced, but the HA content of the different products did not seem to be directly related to gene activation. Therefore, the explanation for the differences must be studied further with respect to elements that are distinctive for each device. For the physician, it is important to choose which drugs or medical devices can be used and in what protocols. The present study performed a comparison that can be useful in better addressing the skin improvement therapies for aging and in its prevention.