Comparison of polylactic acid products with different physicochemical properties in an experiment with human dermal fibroblasts

Background. Data on the mechanisms of action of polylactic acid (PLA) products were previously obtained from commercial studies in vitro or in vivo using animal models and, less frequently, human cells. Objective. To substantiate the efficacy of PLA products with different physicochemical properties based on their interaction with human dermal fibroblasts. Materials and methods. The physicochemical properties of four approved PLA products were determined. When studying the interaction of PLA products with human cells in vitro, changes in the test cultures exposed to a PLA suspension were assessed in the experimental group, while those in the control cultures exposed to the solvent were evaluated in the control group. Cytotoxicity and functional status were assessed using the direct contact method at time points of 24, 48 and 72 hours of cultivation via light microscopy and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results. Lower molecular weights and varying degrees of homogeneity were detected in the tested PLA products. No in vitro cytotoxicity was observed. The cell doubling time in cultures treated with AestheFill V200 / Gana V / Repart PLA was not statistically significantly different from the control, whereas it significantly increased in the Sculptra culture. More pronounced VEGF-A secretion was observed during cell cultivation with Sculptra. VEGF-A production was less elevated in the presence of GANA V and Repart PLA. The levels of VEGF-A in cultures treated with AeshteFill V200 remained consistent with those observed in the control group. Cultivation with Sculptra and Repart PLA led to more intense fibronectin production. No significant differences in fibronectin content were observed in the presence of GANA V and AeshteFill V200. Conclusion. The identified chemical differences may be caused by different methods of molecular weight determination or natural degradation due to hydrolysis by atmospheric moisture. The proliferative activity and secretory function of fibroblasts were maintained upon exposure to the studied materials, but individual products had different effects on the synthesis of the studied proteins and cell proliferation.