INCREASED DERMAL PERFUSION AFTER SKIN BURN INJURY BY D-MYO-INOSITOL-1,2,6-TRISPHOSPHATE

Full-thickness burn injury results in a continuous deterioration of bl ood flow due to vascular sludging, thrombosis formation and oedema lea ding to irreversible ischaemia and tissue necrosis. D-myo-inositol-1,2 ,6-trisphosphate (IP3) has previously been shown to reduce burn-induce d oedema formation and inflammation involved in the pathophysiology of progressive ischaemia. A full-thickness burn injury (1 cm(2)) was ind uced in the abdominal skin of anaesthetized rats using an electrically heated thermoprobe. Blood flow in the experimental area was measured by laser Doppler flowmetry during 6. 5 h postburn. The experiments inc luded five groups. Three burned groups were treated intravenously with IP3 and received respectively: a bolus dose of 4 mg/kg followed by a continuous intravenous infusion of 20 mg/kg/h, 8 mg/kg + 40 mg/kg/h or 16 mg/kg + 60 mg/kg/h. One burned and one unburned control group rece ived a corresponding bolus dose and infusion of saline. Results showed a significant inhibition of dermal ischaemia in the burned groups rec eiving IP3 at all dose intervals as compared to saline-treated burned rats (all P < 0.001). We conclude that IP3 improved local dermal perfu sion in burned skin. Probable mechanisms of action could be the vasodi latory and anti-inflammatory properties of the agent. Copyright (C) 19 96 Elsevier Science Ltd for ISBI.