Topically delivered dissolved oxygen reduces inflammation and positively influences structural proteins in healthy intact human skin

Background: As oxygen is essential for wound healing and there is limited diffusion across the stratum corneum into the epidermis, we wanted to evaluate whether the topical delivery of a total dissolved oxygen in dressing form on intact human subject skin would improve clinical and histologic skin functioning. Aims: Fifty normal, healthy subjects completed a pilot clinical evaluation to assess the efficacy and tolerability of a dissolved oxygen dressing (OxygeneSys™-Continuous) to improve the health and appearance of intact skin. Methods: Clinical analysis was performed on 50 subjects; histological and gene expression analysis was performed on 12 of the 50 subjects to assess the effect of the dissolved oxygen dressing. Results: Clinical data demonstrate that the dressing is well tolerated, and several measures of skin health and integrity showed improvements compared with a control dressing site. Skin hydration measurements showed a statistically significant increase in skin hydration at 0-4, 4-8, and 0-8 weeks (P < 0.05 at each time point). The blinded clinical investigator's grading of desquamation, roughness, and skin texture show significant decreases from baseline to the 8-week time point (P < 0.05). The dressings were removed prior to the blinded clinical investigator's grading. These data were supported by the histological and gene expression studies, which showed a general reduction in inflammatory response markers and transcription products (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha, MMP-1, and MMP-12), while facilitating a general increase in structural skin proteins (collagen I, elastin, and filaggrin). Additionally, p53 signals from biopsy samples support the clinical investigator's observations of no safety concerns. Conclusion: The data from this study demonstrate that the dressing has no deleterious effects and stimulates beneficial effects on intact, nonwounded skin.