Safety evaluation of atmospheric pressure plasma jets in in vitro and in vivo experiments

Ji Yoon Lee; Shin Young Park; Kyoung Hwa Kim; Sung Young Yoon; Gon Ho Kim; Yong Moo Lee; Yang Jo Seol

doi:10.5051/jpis.2007300365

Safety evaluation of atmospheric pressure plasma jets in in vitro and in vivo experiments

J Periodontal Implant Sci. 2021 Jun;51(3):213-223. doi: 10.5051/jpis.2007300365.

Authors

Ji Yoon Lee^#^{1

2}, Shin Young Park^#³, Kyoung Hwa Kim¹, Sung Young Yoon⁴, Gon Ho Kim⁵, Yong Moo Lee¹, Yang Jo Seol⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Periodontology and Dental Research Institute, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
² Deartment of Dentistry, Catholic Kwandong University, International St. Mary's hospital, Incheon, Korea.
³ Department of Dental Science and Dental Research Institute, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
⁴ Plasma Technology Research Center, National Fusion Research Institute, Gunsan, Korea.
⁵ Department of Energy Systems (Nuclear) Engineering, Seoul National University School of Engineering, Seoul, Korea.
⁶ Department of Periodontology and Dental Research Institute, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea. yjseol@snu.ac.kr.

^# Contributed equally.

Abstract

Purpose: The atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) has been introduced as an effective disinfection method for titanium surfaces due to their massive radical generation at low temperatures. Helium (He) has been widely applied as a discharge gas in APPJ due to its bactericidal effects and was proven to be effective in our previous study. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and effects of He-APPJ application at both the cell and tissue levels.

Methods: Cellular-level responses were examined using human gingival fibroblasts and osteoblasts (MC3T3-E1 cells). He-APPJ was administered to the cells in the experimental group, while the control group received only He-gas treatment. Immediate cell responses and recovery after He-APPJ treatment were examined in both cell groups. The effect of He-APPJ on osteogenic differentiation was evaluated via an alkaline phosphatase activity assay. In vivo, He-APPJ treatment was administered to rat calvarial bone and the adjacent periosteum, and samples were harvested for histological examination.

Results: He-APPJ treatment for 5 minutes induced irreversible effects in both human gingival fibroblasts and osteoblasts in vitro. Immediate cell detachment of human gingival fibroblasts and osteoblasts was shown regardless of treatment time. However, the detached areas in the groups treated for 1 or 3 minutes were completely repopulated within 7 days. Alkaline phosphatase activity was not influenced by 1 or 3 minutes of plasma treatment, but was significantly lower in the 5 minute-treated group (P=0.002). In vivo, He-APPJ treatment was administered to rat calvaria and periosteum for 1 or 3 minutes. No pathogenic changes occurred at 7 days after He-APPJ treatment in the He-APPJ-treated group compared to the control group (He gas only).

Conclusions: Direct He-APPJ treatment for up to 3 minutes showed no harmful effects at either the cell or tissue level.

Keywords: Animal experimentation; Bone and bones; Fibroblasts; Osteoblasts; Periosteum; Plasma gases.

Abstract

Grants and funding