Galvanic microparticles increase migration of human dermal fibroblasts in a wound-healing model via reactive oxygen species pathway

Abstract

Electrical signals have been implied in many biological mechanisms, including wound healing, which has been associated with transient electrical currents not present in intact skin. One method to generate electrical signals similar to those naturally occurring in wounds is by supplementation of galvanic particles dispersed in a cream or gel. We constructed a three-layered model of skin consisting of human dermal fibroblasts in hydrogel (mimic of dermis), a hydrogel barrier layer (mimic of epidermis) and galvanic microparticles in hydrogel (mimic of a cream containing galvanic particles applied to skin). Using this model, we investigated the effects of the properties and amounts of Cu/Zn galvanic particles on adult human dermal fibroblasts in terms of the speed of wound closing and gene expression. The collected data suggest that the effects on wound closing are due to the ROS-mediated enhancement of fibroblast migration, which is in turn mediated by the BMP/SMAD signaling pathway. These results imply that topical low-grade electric currents via microparticles could enhance wound healing.

Early bioelectric activities mediate redox-modulated regeneration

“…It also highlights the opportunities for interdisciplinary integration of apparently disparate states (Serena et al, 2009;Tandon et al, 2014) that may reserve promising advances for translational medicine.…”

Monophasic Pulsed Microcurrent of 1–8 Hz Increases the Number of Human Dermal Fibroblasts

“…12) ES accelerated the healing rate by about ninefold (frequency: 2 Hz; intensity: 80 µA; pulse duration: 250 ms) with the cathode directly contacting the wound. Cell proliferation showed a significant influence on wound healing in a pressure injury model, 23) and wound healing requires both the migration and proliferation of HDFs. Our study is the first to determine the optimal frequency for increasing the number of HDFs, and the results suggest that ES at 1-8 Hz with an intensity of 200 μA is the optimal condition to promote the healing of pressure injuries in clinical application, which should also help to safely accelerate healing and shorten the treatment period.…”

Sanguis Draconis (Daemonorops draco)

“…Oxygen not only serves as an important element in collagen synthesis and epidermal cell regeneration but can also promote cell growth. 12 Chronic wound tissue is in a state of local hypoxia. The amelioration of hypoxia on wound surfaces also helps various growth factors play their roles and thereby promotes the healing of chronic wounds.…”