Gaseous oxygen (O2)

Gaseous oxygen is a fundamental requirement for the metabolic demands of tissue repair, serving as a critical substrate for cellular energy production and enzymatic reactions in the wound environment (Sen, C. K., 2009, Wound Repair Regen). In chronic wounds, physical transport of oxygen is often impaired due to vascular disruption or exudate buildup, leading to a state of hypoxia that stalls healing and increases infection risk (Gottrup, F., 2004, World J Surg). Therapeutic strategies like topical oxygen therapy (TOT) and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) aim to bypass compromised microcirculation by increasing the diffusion gradient of gaseous oxygen into the wound tissue (Castillo-Briceño, P., et al., 2020, Front Bioeng Biotechnol). This elevation in oxygen availability supports fibroblast proliferation, collagen cross-linking, and the oxidative burst required for neutrophils to eliminate pathogens (Kimmel, H. M., et al., 2016, J Wound Care). Furthermore, oxygen acts as a signaling molecule that modulates growth factors and promotes angiogenesis, making its physical transport a primary focus for advanced wound care interventions.

Other names

Molecular oxygenDioxygenTopical oxygenDissolved oxygenAtmospheric oxygen

Physical diffusion of gaseous oxygen into the wound bed increases the local partial pressure of oxygen (pO2), which facilitates aerobic metabolism, collagen synthesis by fibroblasts, and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by macrophages for antimicrobial activity.