[Effects of early administration of imipenem on subeshcar and plasma TNF-alpha in rabbits with severe burns].
OBJECTIVE
To study the changes in subeschar fluid and plasma TNF-alpha in rabbits with severe burns in response to early administration of imipenem (IPM).


METHODS
Sixteen rabbits with severe burns were randomized into 2 two equal groups to receive treatment with 100 mg (100 ml) of IPM q8 hx3 days and equivalent volume of saline , respectively. The levels of TNF-alpha in the subeschar tissue fluids and plasma were determined by double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) after the first initial dose of 100 mg of imipenem/cilastatin, lasting 3 days.


RESULTS
The plasma TNF-alpha levels in rabbits increased after the burn injury, reaching the peak level 16 h postburn and sustained the high levels till 72 h. At the same time point, TNF-alpha levels in the subeschar tissue fluids increased evidently in comparison with the plasma level, but both were lowered with early administration of imipenem (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Subeschar and plasma levels of TNFalpha can be significantly lowered with early-stage administration of imipenem, suggesting that IPM inhibits the release of TNFalpha and endotoxin to relieve or prevent endotoxemia after sever burn injury in rabbits.
Tan
Xin-dong
XD
Department of Burn and Plastic, Hospital of Military-Police Guangdong, General Tearn, Guangzhou 510507, China. snlypm21@163.com
Dai
Fei
F
Wang
Jia-han
JH
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002056:Burns / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D019446:Endotoxemia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015378:Imipenem / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011817:Rabbits; D011897:Random Allocation; D013997:Time Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D015378:Imipenem