Effects of a topical aqueous oxygen emulsion on collagen deposition and angiogenesis in a porcine deep partial-thickness wound model

A porcine deep partial-thickness wound model was used to evaluate the effects of a newly developed topical aqueous oxygen emulsion (TOE) on wound repair. The wounds were treated with TOE, which contains super-saturated oxygen or vehicle control. Semiquantitative immunofluorescent staining was performed to examine protein production for type I and type III collagen and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Immunofluorescent staining revealed higher protein levels of type I and type III collagen and VEGF in the TOE treatment group. Histological analysis also revealed improved angiogenesis and granulation tissue formation with topical TOE treatment and was consistent with the protein expression. In addition, the histology examination demonstrated faster epithelialization in wounds treated with TOE. The study suggests that sustained high levels of oxygen released by TOE may promote the process of wound repair through increasing collagen deposition and angiogenesis as well as stimulating epithelialization.