A topical aqueous oxygen emulsion stimulates granulation tissue formation in a porcine second-degree burn wound.

Background: Oxygen is an essential substance for wound healing. Limited studies have shown that topical oxygen can influence healing. This study evaluated the effects of a Topical Oxygen Emulsion (TOE) on burn wound healing.

Methods: A porcine second-degree burn wound model was used in the study. Burn wounds were randomly assigned to TOE, vehicle control, and no-treatment (air) groups. Effects of TOE on the granulation tissue formation and angiogenesis were studied using hematoxylin and eosin histological analysis. Protein production and gene expression of types I and III collagen and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were determined using immunofluorescent staining and Reverse Transcription and Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), respectively.

Results: The TOE treated wounds exhibited better angiogenesis and granulation tissue formation by histology examination. The immunofluorescence staining and RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that protein production and mRNA expression of VEGF and collagen III were significantly higher in TOE treatment group than vehicle alone and air control groups, while there was no significant difference in the level of collagen I.

Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that TOE enhances burn wound healing via stimulating the expression of VEGF and type III collagen and strongly indicates the potential use of TOE in wounds.