Non-thermal argon plasma therapy alleviates atopic dermatitis by reducing keratinocyte oxidative stress

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a prevalent inflammatory skin disorder associated with a considerable disease burden. Despite the advent of biologics a substantial unmet need remains for effective treatment. We aimed to evaluate the effects of non-thermal argon plasma (NAP) in patients with mild-to-moderate AD. The Eczema Area Severity Index (EASI), Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) were evaluated following AD treatment. 16 S rRNA sequencing was used to assess alterations in the skin microbiome. A mouse model of house dust mite (HDM)-induced AD was used to evaluate the effects of NAP on AD-like lesions, immune cell recruitment, and cytokine expression. Oxidative stress parameters and related molecular markers were analyzed after NAP treatment. NAP treatment led to a significant reduction in EASI, NRS, and DLQI scores compared with the sham group, reflecting an alleviation of AD symptoms and an enhancement in the quality of life. Microbiome analysis revealed significant alterations in the microbial diversity after NAP treatment. NAP ameliorated HDM-induced AD in mice, showing a decrease in epidermal thickness, immune cell recruitment, and the expression of key cytokines, particularly interleukin (IL)- 33, in keratinocytes. Furthermore, NAP treatment downregulated oxidative stress markers, corroborating the reduced IL-33 expression and underscoring the role of oxidative stress in AD pathology. Our study suggests the therapeutic potential of nonthermal plasma in the management of mild-to-moderate AD. Further extensive clinical trials are warranted to validate these findings and understand their long-term effects and implications.Trial registration: CRIS, KCT0008949, retrospectively registered on October 10, 2023, at https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/detailSearch.do?seq=25713 .