Olaf Lademann

In vivo skin treatment with tissue-tolerable plasma influences skin physiology and antioxidant profile in human stratum corneum.

Abstract:  The antimicrobial treatment of wounds is still a major problem. Tissue‐tolerable electrical plasma (TTP) is a new approach for topical microbial disinfection of the skin surface. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of TTP on a carotenoid profile in relation to skin physiology parameters (epidermal barrier function, stratum corneum (SC) hydration, surface temperature and irritation parameters). We were interested in the interaction of TTP and the antioxidative network, as well as the consequences for skin physiology parameters. These parameters are also indicative of TTP safety in vivo. For plasma application, ‘Kinpen 09’ was used (surface exposure 30–43°C) for 3 s. Beta‐carotene and water profiles were assessed by in vivo Raman microspectroscopy (skin composition analyzer 3510). Skin physiology parameters were measured with Tewameter TM 300, Corneometer CM 825, skin thermometer and Chromameter CR 300. All parameters were assessed non‐invasively on seven healthy volunteers before and after plasma application in vivo. We could show that TTP application leads to a decrease in beta‐carotene especially in the superficial SC. Skin‐surface temperature increased by 1.74°C, while the transepidermal water loss (TEWL) increase indicated an impaired barrier function. SC hydration decreased as seen in water profile especially in the superficial layers and capacitance values. A slight increase in skin redness was measurable. The induction of reactive oxygen species is probably the major contributor of TTP efficacy in skin disinfection. Skin physiology parameters were influenced without damaging the skin or skin functions, indicating the safety of TTP under in vivo conditions.

Skin Disinfection by Plasma-Tissue Interaction: Comparison of the Effectivity of Tissue-Tolerable Plasma and a Standard Antiseptic

Wound healing disorders frequently occur due to biofilm formation on wound surfaces requiring conscientious wound hygiene. Often, the application of conventional liquid antiseptics is not sufficient and sustainable as (1) the borders and the surrounding of chronic wounds frequently consist of sclerotic skin, impeding an effectual penetration of these products, and (2) the hair follicles representing the reservoir for bacterial recolonization of skin surfaces are not affected. Recently, it has been reported that tissue-tolerable plasma (TTP), which is used at a temperature range between 35 and 45°C, likewise has disinfecting properties. In the present study, the effectivity of TTP and a standard liquid antiseptic was compared in vitro on porcine skin. The results revealed that TTP was able to reduce the bacterial load by 94%, although the application of the liquid antiseptic remained superior as it reduced the bacteria by almost 99%. For in vivo application, however, TTP offers several advantages. On the one hand, TTP enables the treatment of sclerotic skin as well, and on the other hand, a sustainable disinfection can be realized as, obviously, also the follicular reservoir is affected by TTP.

Drug delivery through the skin barrier enhanced by treatment with tissue-tolerable plasma.

Abstract:  Most treatments in dermatology and cosmetology are based on the penetration of topically applied drugs into the skin or through the skin barrier to the target structure in the living tissue. In the case of healthy skin, scarcely 1% of the applied drugs pass the skin barrier, depending on their chemical properties. Therefore, different physical and chemical methods have been developed to stimulate the penetration process. All these methods are based on the partial destruction of the barrier. In this study, an electrical tissue‐tolerable plasma (TTP) was used to increase the penetration of a topically applied model drug (fluorescent dye) through the skin barrier. Using laser scanning microscopy, the distribution of the model drug in different depths of the skin was investigated. It was found that the plasma treatment of the skin is a very efficient process to deliver topically applied substances into the living tissue. In the case of the non‐plasma‐treated skin, it was found that the fluorescent dye could be detected exclusively on the skin surface. If the dye was applied to the TTP‐treated skin, it could be observed in high concentration also in deeper parts of the skin extending down to the stratum basale and the papillary structure.

Aktueller und perspektivischer Einsatz kalter Plasmen aus hygienischer Indikation

Kalte Plasmen zeigen eine hohe Wirksamkeit gegen Mikroorganismen und Viren sowie gegen bakterielle und fungielle Biofilme bei gleichzeitiger Vertraglichkeit fur die Korperoberflache sowie fur unbelebte Materialien. Daruber hinaus besteht die Moglichkeit der gezielten Modifikation der Eigenschaften von Mikroorganismen. Polymere und metallische Oberflachen werden durch Plasmabehandlung in ihrer Hydrophobizitat verandert; zugleich konnen Beschichtungen aufgebracht werden. Durch inflammatorische Reize, Forderung der Angiogenese und der Proliferation von Fibroblasten, Keratinozyten und Osteoblasten werden Heilungsprozesse in Gang gesetzt.

Stimulation der Penetration topisch applizierter Substanzen durch Wechselwirkung von körperwarmen Plasmen mit der Haut

Die Verabreichung von Medikamenten in die lebende Epidermis der Haut ist weit verbreitet in der Dermatologie. Leider erreichen tatsachlich jedoch nur geringe Mengen dieser Medikamente die lebende Epidermis. Daher ist die Entwicklung und Anwendung neuer so genannter Drug-Delivery-Methoden von sehr groser Bedeutung. Wahrend die Plasmabehandlung die Hautbarriere stort, regeneriert sich die Haut sofort bei Abbruch der Plasmabehandlung. Daher mussen die Medikamente vor der Plasmabehandlung auf die Hautoberflache aufgebracht werden, die das Risiko einer plasmachemischen Reaktion beeinflussen. Hierfur werden die Wirkstoffe in so genannte Nanocontainer eingekapselt, die gegen die Plasmabehandlung resistent sind. Sobald die Nanocontainer in das lebensfahige Gewebe eingedrungen sind, erfolgt deren Wirkstofffreigabe.

Corrigendum to: Drug delivery through the skin barrier enhanced by treatment with tissue‐tolerable plasma

by treatment with tissue-tolerable plasma Olaf Lademann, Heike Richter, Martina C. Meinke, Alexa Patzelt, Axel Kramer, Peter Hinz, Klaus-Dieter Weltmann, Bernd Hartmann and Stefan Koch Institute of Hygiene and Environmental Medicine, Ernst Moritz Arndt University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany; Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Center of Experimental and Cutaneous Physiology (CCP), Charite¢ – Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany; Department of Emergency Surgery, Medical Faculty, Ernst Moritz Arndt University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany; Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology e. V. (INP), Greifswald, Germany; Burncenter, Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin (UKB), Berlin, Germany; Institute of Pathology, HELIOS Klinikum Bad Saarow, Germany