No abstract

Interferons (IFNs) belong to the family of cytokines are widely used to treat keloids owing to their ability to increase collagenase activity thereby reducing the production of collagen and other extracellular matrix (ECM). Intralesional injection of IFN-α – 2b increases the collagenase level by inhibiting the secretion of metalloproteinases, an inhibitor of collagenase. Moreover, the anti-fibrotic activity of IFNs, interfere with fibroblast mediated collagen synthesis. On the other hand, combinatorial therapy has been preferred recently along with IFN due to its side effects observed in various clinical trials conducted only with IFN. Triamcinolone acetonide (TAC) and CO2 lasers along with IFNs are found to be the potential therapy for the treatment of scars and keloids. In this chapter, IFN mediated therapy for the treatment of scars and keloids, its benefits and limitations and the advantages of combinatorial therapy with the appropriate literature support are discussed.

No abstract

Biophotons (i.e., photons emitted from living organisms) cause ultra-weak luminescence, induced by reactive oxygen species generated by redox reactions during intracellular respiration. Similarly, regarding the bio-application of atmospheric-pressure plasma in plasma medicine, the oxidative stress reaction by reactive species is involved in the proliferation and cell death of living tissues. We performed non-contact and non-invasive measurements of biophotons released from cultured cells immediately after plasma irradiation. Due to oxidative stress caused by reactive species generated by plasma irradiation, the release of biophotons from the cells and the production of nitric oxide were confirmed.