Direct current reduces plasma protein extravasation after partial-thickness burn injury in rats.
OBJECTIVE
To observe the effect of 40 microA direct current (DC) on plasma albumin extravasation after burn injury.


METHODS
Silver-nylon wound dressings were used as anodes (-) on anesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats with 20% total body surface partial-thickness scald burns. Burned rats with no treatment, or treated with silver-nylon dressing without current, were used as controls. Quantitative analysis of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-albumin leakage and accumulation in the wound tissue was performed using confocal fluorescence microscopy.


RESULTS
In controls, the rate of albumin leakage was maximal at 1 hour postburn (PB) and then decreased, but remained higher than normal for 48 hours PB. The accumulation of FITC-albumin was maximal 4 to 6 hours PB and substantial for 48 hours. When DC was applied, leakage was reduced by 30 to 45% and approached normal control rates by 8 hours PB. FITC-albumin concentration peaked 4 hours PB, was 18 to 48% less then in burned control, and approached the level observed in unburned control by 18 hours PB.


CONCLUSIONS
DC has a beneficial effect in reducing plasma protein extravasation after burn injury.
Matylevich
N P
NP
US Army Institute of Surgical Research, Fort Sam Houston, Texas 78234-6315, USA.
Chu
C S
CS
McManus
A T
AT
Mason
A D
AD
Pruitt
B A
BA
D000818:Animals; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D002056:Burns / Q000378:metabolism*; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology
D001798:Blood Proteins; D012709:Serum Albumin; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate