Enhancement of Angiogenesis and Epithelialization Processes in Mice with Burn Wounds through ROS/RNS Signals Generated by Non-Thermal N2/Ar Micro-Plasma

Non-thermal 0.5% N-2/Ar micro-plasma treatment with relatively high NO content was conducted on mice with second-degree burn wounds. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) concentrations in the plasma-exposed tissue lysate were measured. The wound closure kinetics, inflammatory responses, proliferation phase, blood flow, and formation of blood vessels in the mice were then assessed. The results showed that the wound contraction in the plasma-exposed mice occurred five days earlier than that in the control group. The generated ROS/RNS signals stimulated the burn wound healing process, which were correlated with the angiogenesis and epithelialization processes. A possible in vivo mechanism for the enhancement of the processes in the plasma-exposed mice is thereafter proposed.