Transdermal Sustained-Delivery Oxygen Improves Epithelial Healing in a Rabbit Ear Wound Model

Abstract

Transdermal sustained-delivery oxygen therapy improves wound healing. Design: Experimental study using a well-established rabbit ear model for acute wound healing. Setting: Wound-healing research laboratory in a university center. Methods: Four full-thickness 7-mm punch wounds were created on each ear of young, female New Zealand white rabbits. Treated ears received transdermal sustained delivery of oxygen via silicone tubing tunneled subcutaneously to a pocket under a semiocclusive dressing. Oxygen production (100% oxygen at 3 mL/h continuously) relied on a small, self-contained device connected to the silicone tubing and secured to the rabbit's back for the duration of the experiment using a body harness. Ears were harvested at each of 2 time points: day 5 and day 8. Results: Histologic analysis of the wounds showed significantly greater healing at both day 5 and day 8 in response to oxygen therapy. Most significantly, epithelial wound coverage was almost doubled in treated ear wounds when compared with controls. Conclusion: Our results suggest that epithelial wound healing is improved by transdermal sustained-delivery treatment with 100% oxygen.

Topical Dissolved Oxygen Penetrates Skin: Model and Method

“…Recent reports have shown topically applied gaseous oxygen can increase pO2 of superficial wound tissue and has shown promise clinically [25,26]. Epithelial healing is improved by a transdermal sustained delivery treatment with bubbled gaseous oxygen [27].…”

Aerobically Derived Lactate Stimulates Revascularization and Tissue Repair via Redox Mechanisms

“…However, sustained periods of equally severe hypoxia limit neovascularization (17), proliferation of dermal cells (28), collagen deposition (33), bacterial killing and resistance to infection (3), and more severe hypoxia causes tissue death and dysfunction (33). On the other hand, supplemental O 2, in vivo accelerates wound vessel growth (12,16,17), collagen deposition (34,41) and angiogenesis (12). Intermittent hyperbaric oxygen stimulates vessel growth (17), accelerates the proliferation of granulation tissue (23,24), and facilitates epithelial healing (34).…”

“…On the other hand, supplemental O 2, in vivo accelerates wound vessel growth (12,16,17), collagen deposition (34,41) and angiogenesis (12). Intermittent hyperbaric oxygen stimulates vessel growth (17), accelerates the proliferation of granulation tissue (23,24), and facilitates epithelial healing (34). VEGF is a major long-term angiogenic stimulus at the wound site.…”

Mathematical Model of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Applied to Chronic Diabetic Wounds

“…Oyibo et al (2001) state that the outcome of diabetic foot ulcers is influenced by (at least) blood supply and the presence of infection. An adequate oxygen supply is essential for healing and an inadequate oxygen supply is often reported as a cause of wound chronicity (Hunt et al, 1967(Hunt et al, , 1969Sen et al, 2002;Said et al, 2005;Hopf et al, 2006;Lin et al, 2008). We model decreased oxygen supply by reducing the parameter λ 5 in Eq.…”