[Effects of metallothionein (MT) on burned skin of rats].
OBJECTIVE
To elucidate the relationship between skin viability and lipid peroxidation after deep partial thickness burn injury.


METHODS
Deep partial thickness burn was produced. Metallothionin (MT) in different concentrations (0.5 x 10(-6) mol/L, 1 x 10(-5) mol/L) was topically applied. Oxygen consumption, succinate dehydrogenase(SDH), Schiff's base contents and healing time of wound were determined in 24 Wistar rats. Specimens were harvested at 8, 24, and 48-hour postburn.


RESULTS
Oxygen consumption and SDH value decreased and Schiff's base value increased after burn injury. With the application of MT, oxygen consumption and SDH value of burned skin were significantly higher compared with control group, and Schiff's base value was significantly lower (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The mean healing time of burned wound was two days less in two MT protection groups.


CONCLUSIONS
MT may be beneficial in improving postburn skin viability by attenuating lipid peroxidation of burned tissue.
Yu
D
D
Department of Burns, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Beijing 100035.
Qin
F
F
Sun
Y
Y
D000818:Animals; D002056:Burns / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008297:Male; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013385:Succinate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
D008668:Metallothionein; D013385:Succinate Dehydrogenase