Time- and Dose-Dependent Effects of Hyaluronidase on the Degradation of Different Hyaluronan-Based Fillers In Vitro

Hyaluronidase (HYAL) is regarded as the standard for the management of complications associated with hyaluronan (HA)-based fillers. Therefore, the understanding of interactions of HA fillers and HYAL is essential.

Nine different commercially available HA fillers (Belotero, Juvéderm, and Restylane) with varying degrees of cross-linking were used for the analysis. Fluorescently dyed HA fillers were individually incubated with varying doses of HYAL [bovine HYAL (Hylase "Dessau"; Riemser Pharma, Germany); 5, 10, and 20 U/mL] or sodium chloride and monitored by time-lapse microscopy. HA filler degradation was assessed as a decrease in fluorescence intensity of HA filler plus HYAL compared to HA filler plus control, quantified by computerized image analysis.

HA fillers show significant differences in their reaction to HYAL. Levels of degradation of HA fillers are positively correlated with increasing concentrations of HYAL. At the highest concentration of HYAL (20 U/mL), all fillers except one (Belotero Volume) reached a significant level of degradation at 5 to 9 hours.

In this study, the authors show that most HA fillers can be dissolved by HYAL in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Of note, the fillers' technology and degree of cross-linking seem to exert stronger effects on the degradability by HYAL as compared to the concentration of HA.

The authors' in vitro analyses support clinical recommendations stating that in the case of a vascular filler incident, HYAL should be applied early and at significant doses ("Time is skin!").

Therapeutic, V.