Inverse relationship between the apoptotic rate and the time elapsed from thermal injuries in deep partial thickness burns.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this article was to further describe apoptotic behaviour in deep partial thickness burns, correlating the apoptotic rate of these lesions with the time elapsed from injury.


METHODS
We used TUNEL and Fas immunohistochemistry in serial biopsies of deep partial thickness burns harvested from 1 to 23 days following injury. The apoptotic rate was defined as the number of apoptotic cells out of the total number of nucleated cells.


RESULTS
We recruited 25 subjects. Apoptosis was present in all biopsies and showed an inverse relationship with the time elapsed from thermal injury, higher during the first days and lower in the third week (r=-0.518; p=0.008). No significant correlations were demonstrated with age, total burn surface area, deep partial thickness burns area, Baux UBS index.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study demonstrates that apoptosis persists in deep partial thickness burns throughout the first 3 weeks and shows an inverse relationship with the time elapsed from injury. It provides, in our opinion, the basis for future investigations regarding correlation with local vascularity and perfusion status and with clinical outcomes of deep partial thickness burns.
Gravante
G
G
General Surgery Department, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy. ggravante@hotmail.com
Delogu
D
D
Palmieri
M B
MB
Santeusanio
G
G
Montone
A
A
Esposito
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods; D002056:Burns / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology*; D013997:Time Factors