Iontophoresis with gold nanoparticles improves mitochondrial activity and oxidative stress markers of burn wounds

The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of microcurrent and gold nanoparticles on oxidative stress parameters and the mitochondrial respiratory chain in the healing of skin wounds. Thirty 60-day old male Wistar rats (250–300 g) were divided into five groups (N = 6): Control; Burn wounds; Microcurrent (MIC); Gold nanoparticle gel (GNP gel) and Microcurrent + Gold nanoparticle gel (MIC + GNP gel). The microcurrent treatment was applied for five consecutive days at a dose of 300 μA. The results demonstrate a significant decrease in the activity of complexes I, II–III and IV in the Burn Wounds group compared to the control, and the MIC + GNP gel group was able to reverse this inhibition in complexes I, III and IV. Furthermore, a significant reduction in oxidative damage parameters and a significant increase in the levels of antioxidant defence enzymes were induced in the MIC + GNP gel group compared to the Burn Wounds group. The data strongly indicate that the group receiving treatment with MIC + GNP gel had improved mitochondrial functioning and oxidative stress parameters, which contributed to tissue repair.