OBJECTIVETo study the safety of Hydrophilic polyacrylamide gel (HPAG) through an animal experiment.

METHODSAfter HPAG was injected underneath the skin of SD rats, tissue specimens were taken for general and histological examinations. The cytotoxicity was evaluated by agar coverage and MTT method.

RESULTSIt was determined that the cytotoxicity was over level-two. The toxicity to kidney was obvious. The local histological reaction was slight and a thin fibrous membrane was formed around HPAG, which became stiff gradually. The shape and location of the injected HPAG was not stable. The HPAG could not be drawn out completely.

CONCLUSIONHPAG has obvious cytotoxicity and is not a suitable material as soft tissue implant for the bad shape and texture.