Copper Ions Ameliorated Thermal Burn-Induced Damage in ex vivo Human Skin Organ Culture

The zone of stasis is formed around the coagulation zone following skin burning and is characterized by its unique potential for salvation. The cells in this zone may die or survive depending on the severity of the burn and therefore are target for the local treatments of burns. Their low survival rate is consistent with decreased tissue perfusion, hypotension, infection, and/or edema, resulting in a significant increase in the wound size following burning. Copper is an essential trace mineral needed for the normal function of almost all body tissues, including the skin.

The aim of the work was to study the effect copper ions have on skin burn pathophysiology.

Skin obtained from healthy patients undergoing abdominoplasty surgery was cut into 8 × 8 mm squares, and round 0.8-mm diameter burn wounds were inflicted on the skin explants. The burned and control intact skin samples were cultured up to 27 days after wounding. Immediately following injury and then again every 48 h, saline only or containing 0.02 or 1 µM copper ions was added onto the skin explant burn wounds.

We found that exposing the wounded sites immediately after burn infliction to 0.02 or 1 µM copper ions reduced the deterioration of the zone of stasis and the increase in wound size. The presence of the copper ions prevented the dramatic increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8) and transforming growth factor beta-1 that followed skin burning. We also detected re-epithelialization of the skin tissue and a greater amount of collagen fibers upon copper treatment.

The deterioration of the zone of stasis and the increase in wound size following burning may be prevented or reduced by using copper ion-based therapeutic interventions.