The overproduction of biochemical mediators, and activation of leukocytes a
nd endothelial cells, generated in thermally injured tissue. gives rise to
both local and distant effects. The formation of short-lived, highly reacti
ve metabolites. such as oxygen free radicals, increases with increasing tis
sue ischemia, and causes further cell damage. Human recombinant Cu/Zn-super
oxide dismutase (rh-Cu/Zn-SOD), an enzyme which captures these radicals. ma
y have a beneficial effect on the postburn inflammation processes. In this
study, the influence of rh-Cu/Zn-SOD application to thermally injured tissu
e of rabbit backskin was examined. Three different delivery strategies were
compared. pure or liposomally encapsulated enzyme. or intralesionally inje
cted rh-Cu/Zn-SOD. For control, one animal group was treated with plain gel
and another group was kept untreated. At 24 In following trauma a statisti
cally significant difference in lesion sizes between the enzyme treated and
control groups was observed. After 72 It tissue swelling had diminished si
gnificantly more in the rh-Cu/Zn-SOD treated groups as compared to the cont
rol animals. The best results were achieved by spreading liposomes encapsul
ating the enzyme onto the wounds. Our results suggest that local treatment
of burn wounds with enzymatic radical scavengers such as rh-Cu/Zn-SOD has a
beneficial effect on the extent of the postburn damage. (C) 2001 Elsevier
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