Background

• Hyaluronic acid is polysaccharide (sugar-based) component of connective tissue, including the skin. Its water-binding and elastic properties have skin-plumping effects. Hyaluronic acid also lubricates tissues and joints.
• Hyaluronic acid is used in osteoarthritis treatment, ophthalmic (eye) surgery, and tissue engineering. It may be injected into a joint or into the skin, taken by mouth, or applied topically. Hyaluronic acid fillers are popularly used to minimize the appearance of facial wrinkles and to plump skin in the cheeks and chin.

References

• Carruthers, J. D., Glogau, R. G., and Blitzer, A. Advances in facial rejuvenation: botulinum toxin type a, hyaluronic acid dermal fillers, and combination therapies--consensus recommendations. Plast.Reconstr.Surg. 2008;121(5 Suppl):5S-30S.
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• Carruthers, J and Carruthers, A. Hyaluronic acid gel in skin rejuvenation. J Drugs Dermatol. 2006;5(10):959-964.
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• Chen, W. Y. and Abatangelo, G. Functions of hyaluronan in wound repair. Wound.Repair Regen. 1999;7(2):79-89.
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• Gold, MH. Use of hyaluronic acid fillers for the treatment of the aging face. Clin Interv.Aging 2007;2(3):369-376.
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• Kalman, DS, Heimer, M, Valdeon, A, et al. Effect of a natural extract of chicken combs with a high content of hyaluronic acid (Hyal-Joint) on pain relief and quality of life in subjects with knee osteoarthritis: a pilot randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Nutr J 2008;7:3.
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• Klein, A. W. and Fagien, S. Hyaluronic acid fillers and botulinum toxin type a: rationale for their individual and combined use for injectable facial rejuvenation. Plast.Reconstr.Surg. 2007;120(6 Suppl):81S-88S.
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• Lupo, MP, Smith, SR, Thomas, JA, et al. Effectiveness of Juvederm Ultra Plus dermal filler in the treatment of severe nasolabial folds. Plast.Reconstr.Surg. 2008;121(1):289-297.
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• Paker, N, Tekdos, D, Kesiktas, N, et al. Comparison of the therapeutic efficacy of TENS versus intra-articular hyaluronic acid injection in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a prospective randomized study. Adv.Ther. 2006;23(2):342-353.
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• Petrella, RJ. Hyaluronic acid for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: long-term outcomes from a naturalistic primary care experience. Am J Phys.Med Rehabil. 2005;84(4):278-283.
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• Rohrich, RJ, Ghavami, A, and Crosby, MA. The role of hyaluronic acid fillers (Restylane) in facial cosmetic surgery: review and technical considerations. Plast.Reconstr.Surg. 2007;120(6 Suppl):41S-54S.
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• Rohrich, R. J. Advances in facial rejuvenation: Botulinum toxin A. Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers, and combination therapies--consensus recomendations. Editor's Foreword. Plast.Reconstr.Surg. 2008;121(5 Suppl):1S-2S.
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• Rolando, M and Valente, C. Establishing the tolerability and performance of tamarind seed polysaccharide (TSP) in treating dry eye syndrome: results of a clinical study. BMC Ophthalmol. 2007;7:5.
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• Tezel, A and Fredrickson, GH. The science of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers. J Cosmet.Laser Ther. 2008;10(1):35-42.
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• Uthman, I., Raynauld, J. P., and Haraoui, B. Intra-articular therapy in osteoarthritis. Postgrad.Med J 2003;79(934):449-453.
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• Wolfram, D, Tzankov, A, and Piza-Katzer, H. Surgery for foreign body reactions due to injectable fillers. Dermatology 2006;213(4):300-304.
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