A topical aqueous oxygen emulsion stimulates granulation tissue formation in a porcine second-degree burn wound

Burns. 2015 Aug;41(5):1049-57. doi: 10.1016/j.burns.2014.11.016. Epub 2014 Dec 30.

Abstract

Background: Oxygen is an essential substance for wound healing. Limited studies have shown that topical oxygen can influence healing. This study evaluated the effects of a Topical Oxygen Emulsion (TOE) on burn wound healing.

Methods: A porcine second-degree burn wound model was used in the study. Burn wounds were randomly assigned to TOE, vehicle control, and no-treatment (air) groups. Effects of TOE on the granulation tissue formation and angiogenesis were studied using hematoxylin and eosin histological analysis. Protein production and gene expression of types I and III collagen and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were determined using immunofluorescent staining and Reverse Transcription and Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), respectively.

Results: The TOE treated wounds exhibited better angiogenesis and granulation tissue formation by histology examination. The immunofluorescence staining and RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that protein production and mRNA expression of VEGF and collagen III were significantly higher in TOE treatment group than vehicle alone and air control groups, while there was no significant difference in the level of collagen I.

Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that TOE enhances burn wound healing via stimulating the expression of VEGF and type III collagen and strongly indicates the potential use of TOE in wounds.

Keywords: Burn wound; Collagen; Granulation tissue formation; Topical aqueous oxygen emulsion; VEGF.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Cutaneous
  • Animals
  • Blood Gas Monitoring, Transcutaneous
  • Burns / pathology*
  • Collagen Type I / drug effects
  • Collagen Type I / genetics
  • Collagen Type I / metabolism
  • Collagen Type II / drug effects
  • Collagen Type II / genetics
  • Collagen Type II / metabolism
  • Emulsions / pharmacology*
  • Granulation Tissue / pathology*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic / drug effects*
  • Oxygen / pharmacology*
  • RNA, Messenger / drug effects*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Random Allocation
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Swine
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / drug effects
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / genetics
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism
  • Wound Healing / drug effects*

Substances

  • Collagen Type I
  • Collagen Type II
  • Emulsions
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Oxygen