Ex vivo Evaluation of a New Method for Topical Delivery of HA through the Stratum Corneum
Ashish Bhatia, MD
Ashish Bhatia, MD
Introduction/Objectives:
The beneficial effects of hyaluronic acid (HA) on aging skin have prompted the development of rejuvenation procedures that utilize various HA injectables. However, to restore hydration in aging skin, daily exogenous HA replenishment is necessary. Tiered Release Vesicles (TRVs) represent a unique lipid-based delivery system that combines the characteristics of liposomes and emulsions (‘biphasic’vesicle structure), resulting in a distinctive configuration capable of interacting with the complex stratum corneum lipids. Previous research has demonstrated that the biphasic structure of these delivery vesicles is essential, as simply combining ingredients does not facilitate macromolecular penetration into the skin.
Methods:
An ex vivo human skin model and diffusion cells with confocal microscopy were utilized to evaluate the TRV delivery efficiency in comparison to a simple gel (HPMC) vehicle, both of which were encapsulated with the same concentrations of HA50 and HA250 molecular weights. The co-encapsulation of both HAs was confirmed using confocal microscopy. Additionally, the formulations were applied to two different patients who underwent skin biopsies for histochemical staining and analysis before and after one month of application.
Findings:
The optimized TRV formulations effectively delivered 50 kDa and 250 kDa HA into both the epidermis and dermis, outperforming the simple gel vehicle. Histological analysis of a patient treated with the TRV formulation showedsubstantial improvements in solar elastosis compared to a more general improvement observed with the simple gel formulation.
By adjusting the composition of the formulation, it is possible to regulate the penetration depth of macromolecules, enabling the TRVs to target specific skin layers for maximum impact.
Integrating topical TRV penetration technology with dermal filler injections or laser resurfacing procedures could yield a complementary and synergistic effect using various penetration
enhancer combinations.
The beneficial effects of hyaluronic acid (HA) on aging skin have prompted the development of rejuvenation procedures that utilize various HA injectables. However, to restore hydration in aging skin, daily exogenous HA replenishment is necessary. Tiered Release Vesicles (TRVs) represent a unique lipid-based delivery system that combines the characteristics of liposomes and emulsions (‘biphasic’vesicle structure), resulting in a distinctive configuration capable of interacting with the complex stratum corneum lipids. Previous research has demonstrated that the biphasic structure of these delivery vesicles is essential, as simply combining ingredients does not facilitate macromolecular penetration into the skin.
Methods:
An ex vivo human skin model and diffusion cells with confocal microscopy were utilized to evaluate the TRV delivery efficiency in comparison to a simple gel (HPMC) vehicle, both of which were encapsulated with the same concentrations of HA50 and HA250 molecular weights. The co-encapsulation of both HAs was confirmed using confocal microscopy. Additionally, the formulations were applied to two different patients who underwent skin biopsies for histochemical staining and analysis before and after one month of application.
Findings:
The optimized TRV formulations effectively delivered 50 kDa and 250 kDa HA into both the epidermis and dermis, outperforming the simple gel vehicle. Histological analysis of a patient treated with the TRV formulation showedsubstantial improvements in solar elastosis compared to a more general improvement observed with the simple gel formulation.
By adjusting the composition of the formulation, it is possible to regulate the penetration depth of macromolecules, enabling the TRVs to target specific skin layers for maximum impact.
Integrating topical TRV penetration technology with dermal filler injections or laser resurfacing procedures could yield a complementary and synergistic effect using various penetration
enhancer combinations.