Abstract
According to high incidence and prevalence of pressure ulcers worldwide, the purpose of this study is using of non-thermal atmospheric plasma as a novel therapy for pressure ulcers. Cold plasma was produced by applying a high-voltage (5 kV) and high-frequency (25 kHz), to helium gas. Under general anesthesia and sterile conditions, two circular magnets were used to create pressure ulcers on the dorsal skin of adult rats. The wounds were divided randomly into control and plasma-treated groups. Animals in the plasma-treated group received plasma radiation for 5 days, each day 3 times and every time 60 s. Mechanical assays were performed to determine plasma effects on the mechanical strength of the repaired tissue. The results showed that mechanical strength of repaired wound in the plasma-treated group was significantly higher than that in the control group (p < 0.05). In addition, evidence from histological studies indicates a significantly accelerated wound re-epithelialization in comparison with the control group; angiogenesis and fibrosis (collagen synthesis) were also significantly increased and the inflammation phase of wound healing was shorter in the plasma-treated group. The plasma treatment also resulted in significant wound contraction and acceleration of wound healing. The findings of present study indicate the effects of cold plasma on pressure ulcer treatment.
Highlights
Pressure ulcer is a major health challenge worldwide that imposes a significant financial burden on health care systems and negatively affects quality of life, so quick and opportune curative actions are needed[1]
Wound healing duration in the plasma-treated group was 17.83 ± 0.83 days whereas in the control group after Day 21 some wounds didn’t heal completely yet and wound healing duration was about 19.37 ± 0.62 days
The results of the present study showed that cold plasma as a safe treatment method can positively affect the healing process of pressure sores
Summary
Pressure ulcer ( described as bed sore and decubitus ulcer) is a major health challenge worldwide that imposes a significant financial burden on health care systems and negatively affects quality of life, so quick and opportune curative actions are needed[1]. The main mechanism of the non-thermal plasma interaction with cells or living tissue still remains unknown[23], but the effects of non-thermal plasma on the key wound-related cells have been reported in several studies. NO-containing plasma induces skin acidification (pH reduction) as a result of NOx interaction with water and increases dermal microcirculation[46] These effects are similar to those found in the natural process of wound healing. Plasma therapy represents a promising new medication against chronic/infected wounds To our knowledge, this is the first study that reports the effects of cold plasma on the treatment of an animal model of pressure ulcer. In order to compare the wound healing process between plasma-treated and control specimens, mechanical and histological parameters were measured and wound contraction was evaluated during the healing period
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