Hybrid Biomaterial of PLGA Microspheres and Hyaluronic Acid as a Potential Injectable Bulking Agent for Urologic and Dermatologic Applications

Materials currently used as an injectable bulking agent in the dermatologic and urologic fields revealed several drawbacks such as particles migration, inflammatory reaction, allergic reaction, rapid volume shrinkage, and necessity of a donor site. In this study, we have developed injectable biomaterial comprising poly (DL- lactide-co-glycolide)(PLGA) and hyaluronic acid gel to overcome these problems. PLGA is a biocompatible synthetic material and hyaluronic acid is a common substance found in living organisms. We examined the feasibility of injection through needle and tested biocompatibility in animal model. After transplantation, injected sites and distant organs were examined histologically to verify a new tissue formation, inflammation, and particles migrations. Injected volume was maintained approximately 80 percent for 2 months. Results demonstrated that the developed material was injectable through various gauges of needles and induced a new bulking tissue formation without serious inflammatory reaction.