Subcutaneous Application of a Gelatin/Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogel Induces the Production of Skin Extracellular Matrix.

The development of injectable hydrogels with natural biopolymers such as gelatin (Ge) and hyaluronic acid (Ha) is widely performed due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability. The combination of both polymers crosslinked with N-Ethyl-N'-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) can be used as an innovative dermal filler that stimulates fibroblast activity and increases skin elasticity and tightness. Thus, crosslinked Ge/Ha hydrogels with different concentrations of EDC were administered subcutaneously to test their efficacy in young and old rats.