A prospective, randomized, blind comparison between saline, calcium gluconate and diphoterine for washing skin acid injuries in rats: effects on substance P and beta-endorphin release.
OBJECTIVE
A randomized, blind study to evaluate the effects on beta-endorphin and substance P release after washing acid burns with 0.9% saline, calcium gluconate or diphoterine in a model of chemical burn in rats.


METHODS
Twenty Sprague-Dawley rats (approximate weight 250 g) were anaesthetized with ketamine (30 mg kg(-1) intramuscularly) and then given an acid injury on the back skin with 0.5 mL of hydrochloric acid 52%. The rats were then randomly allocated to receive no washing (control group, n = 5), washing with normal saline (0.9% NaCl) (n = 5), 10% calcium gluconate (n = 5) or diphoterine (n = 5). Blood concentrations of substance P and beta-endorphin were measured 6 h, 48 h and 7 days after the chemical burn. An independent blinded observer evaluated wound healing at the 7th day.


RESULTS
Seven days after burn wound healing was almost complete only in rats treated with diphoterine. Plasma concentrations of substance P were lower in rats receiving skin flushing with diphoterine compared to the other groups at 6 and 48 h after acid burn (P < 0.05 and P < 0.05, respectively); this was also associated with higher concentrations of beta-endorphin at day 7 (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Skin flushing with diphoterine reduced substance P release during the first 48 h after burn, and was associated with better wound healing and higher concentrations of beta-endorphin 7 days later when compared with normal saline or 10% calcium gluconate.
Cavallini
M
M
Galeazzi Hospital, Unit of Plastic Surgery, Milan, Italy.
Casati
A
A
D000818:Animals; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002125:Calcium Gluconate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D006851:Hydrochloric Acid; D023421:Models, Animal; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013373:Substance P / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects*; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects*
D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D009930:Organic Chemicals; C472007:diphoterine; D013373:Substance P; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D006851:Hydrochloric Acid; D002125:Calcium Gluconate