Attenuation of the acute-phase response in thermally injured rats by cholesterol-containing cationic liposomes used as a delivery system for gene therapy.
OBJECTIVE
Cholesterol-containing cationic liposomes alone modulate the acute-phase response and cytokine expression in thermally injured rats and are an effective delivery system for gene therapy in trauma.


METHODS
Laboratory.


METHODS
Fifty-six adult male Sprague-Dawley rats with a full-thickness scald burn covering 60% of total body surface area were randomly divided into 2 groups to receive either intravenous injections of cholesterol-containing cationic liposomes or saline (control).


METHODS
Body weights, muscle and liver dry-wet weights, serum levels of constitutive hepatic proteins, acute-phase protein levels, and cytokine levels were determined at 1, 2, 5, and 7 days after thermal injury.


RESULTS
Rats receiving cholesterol-containing cationic liposomes had less body weight loss, increased serum transferrin levels, and decreased serum alpha1-acid glycoprotein levels when compared with controls (P<.05). Serum interleukin 1beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels were decreased in rats receiving liposomes at 1 and 2 days after burn compared with controls (P<.05).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that cholesterol-containing cationic liposomes alone may have a beneficial effect in modulating the hypermetabolic response after burn injury by decreasing type 1 acute-phase proteins and the expression of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 1beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha. Therefore, cholesterol-containing cationic liposomes appear to be suitable as a delivery system for gene therapy in trauma.
Jeschke
M G
MG
Department of Surgery, Shriners Burns Hospital, Galveston, Tex 77550, USA.
Barrow
R E
RE
Perez-Polo
J R
JR
Herndon
D N
DN
D000210:Acute-Phase Reaction / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D000818:Animals; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications*; D002412:Cations; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004337:Drug Carriers; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008081:Liposomes; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D002412:Cations; D004337:Drug Carriers; D008081:Liposomes; D002784:Cholesterol