CAN SUPEROXIDE-DISMUTASE PREVENT POSTBURN DERMAL ISCHEMIA

Decreasing progressive dermal ischemia after burning could theoretical ly limit the amount of skin necrosis. It is controversial whether the use of free radical scavengers could prevent the progressive dermal is chemia of the postburn stasis zone. We evaluated the effect of superox ide dismutase (SOD) on preventing postburn dermal ischemia in animal m odels by the India ink perfusion and skin transparent preparation tech niques. The closely clipped backs of guinea-pigs were bathed in 75 deg rees C wafer for 10 s. Within 5 min postburn, SOD-treated groups were administered SOD (10000 u/kg) intra-peritoneally every 6 h. All animal s were perfused with 70 per cent India ink via cervical artery cannula by 16 kPa constant pressure at 0, 8, 16, 24 h postburn, and the skin transparent preparations were mane, while the level of malonyl dialdeh yde (MDA) in skin tissue was assessed. The results showed that with pr olongation of postburn time, the rate of filling of India ink in skin capillary plexuses decreased gradually (p<0.01). MDA increased continu ously, which was related to postburn dermal ischemia (r=0.689, p<0.01) . Though the level of MDA decreased in SOD-treated groups, the India i nk Filing rates showed no significant difference between controls and experimental groups (p>0.05). The results were also confirmed by obser vation of skin transparent preparations and TEM. This study suggests t hat superoxide dismutase fails to prevent progressive dermal ischemia after burning. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd for ISBI.