Objectives: The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate the effects of a non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma jet (NTAPPJ) on the cellular activity of human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) for possible non-surgical application of it during gingival wound healing.
Materials and methods: HGF cells were exposed with NTAPPJ for 1, 2, and 4 min and were investigated for cellular attachment, cell viability, morphology of attached cells, proliferation rate, and messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of various growth factors. Also, scavengers for chemicals produced by NTAPPJ were used to identify the chemical species responsible for the effects.
Results: There was no significant change in the number of HGF cells attached or their proliferation following NTAPPJ exposure. Also, high cell viability resulted from exposure of all of HGF cells to NTAPPJ for 1, 2, and 4 min. However, cells were more stretched while the mRNA expressions of transforming growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor were significantly increased following NTAPPJ exposure. Additionally, the scavenger test showed that nitric oxide is likely to be the chemical responsible for an increase of cellular activity.
Conclusion: The results demonstrated that the NTAPPJ increased mRNA expressions of growth factors in human gingival fibroblasts.
Clinical relevance: Application of NTAPPJ would be useful in gingival wound healing in clinics though additional studies confirming the effects would be needed.
Keywords: Gingival fibroblast; Growth factors; Nitric oxide; Non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma.