Effects of topical nitroglycerin and flurbiprofen in the rat comb burn model

Burn injury is known to cause thrombosis and occlusion of dermal vessels th at come in direct contact with thermal energy. Progressive ischemia seconda ry to diminished blood flow may compromise dermal tissues immediately surro unding the primary burn site, A standardized brass bar was used to create u niform full-thickness "comb" burns on 10 rat backs. Topical petrolatum (N = 2), 2% nitroglycerin (N = 4), and 5% flurbiprofen (N = 4) was applied to t he burns at 2 and 4 hours postinjury, The vascular patency of dermal vessel s was visualized directly by latex vascular casts made 24 hours after the b urn injury. The vascular casts showed an absence of patent vessels within t he direct burn sites in all treatment groups, and within the burn interspac es of the petrolatum-treated rats. Interspacial dermal vessel patency was s een in the 2% nitroglycerin and 5% flurbiprofen-treated rats. Topical 2% ni troglycerin and 5% flurbiprofen applied 2 and 4 hours postinjury effectivel y prevented interspacial dermal vessel thrombosis at 24 hours postinjury.