EFFECT OF SUPEROXIDE-DISMUTASE ON HEMATOLOGIC PARAMETERS AND URINARY CHANGES AFTER BURN INJURY IN RATS - AN EXPERIMENTAL-STUDY

This study was designed to examine the possible benefits that superoxi de dismutase (SOD), a free radical scavenger, could induce upon some o f the hematologic and urinary alterations occurring during the burn sh ock syndrome. The experiment was conducted by comparing two groups of rats treated with SOD and saline solution respectively, immediately af ter inducing a scald burn injury. Statistically significant difference s were observed between the two groups in the mean increases of hemato crit and total hematic hemoglobin concentration 15 min postburn (p < 0 .05) and in the presence or absence of urinary pigments (p < 0.001) 60 min postburn. These results demonstrate the role of oxygen free radic als in the physiopathology of the first stages of burn shock syndrome.