TOPICAL SILVER SULFADIAZINE DECREASES PLASMA COPPER AND CERULOPLASMININ A RAT MODEL OF THERMAL-INJURY

Following major trauma, circulating levels of copper (Cu) and cerulopl asmin (CP) increase. However, in previous studies by our group, Cu and CP were significantly reduced in thermal injury patients receiving to pical silver sulfadiazine cream (AgSD), leading us to speculate that t here may have been an antagonism between silver (Ag) and Cu and/or CP. The objective of this study was to determine if Ag is antagonistic to Cu and/or CP in an experimental burn rat model. Twelve male Sprague-D awley rats were administered a 39% total body surface area full-thickn ess scald burn; 12 sham burn rats served as controls. Half were treate d daily with 3 g of AgSD for 7 days; the plasma concentration of Cu, C P, Ag, and Zinc (Zn) were then determined. Marked elevations of Ag and significant decreases (P < 0.05) in plasma Cu and CP were found in bo th the burn and sham controls receiving AgSD. Plasma Zn concentrations were not significantly altered by silver ion. These findings provide in vivo data that support our clinical hypothesis that silver is antag onistic to copper and/or ceruloplasmin in the thermally injured patien t who is administered silver ion topically. (C) 1995 Wiley-Liss,Inc.