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Filler materials such as Restylane are thought to correct skin-contour defects by volumetric filling of the dermis without affecting the surrounding skin. To see whether this procedure affects endogenous collagen synthesis, researchers conducted a randomized, controlled study in 11 subjects (mean age, 74) with mild-to-moderate photodamage of the forearm. Patients received injection of Restylane into one arm and control saline into the other. Biopsies taken at 4 and 13 weeks were analyzed for changes in collagen metabolism.
The investigators stained for antibodies to procollagen (the soluble collagen precursor) and propyl-4-hydroxylase, an enzyme that fosters stabilization of mature type I collagen. They found a 100-fold increase in C-terminu…