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. 2008 Nov;30(5):503-7.
doi: 10.1097/SHK.0b013e31816e3373.

Characterization of the inflammatory response during acute and post-acute phases after severe burn

Gerd G Gauglitz  1 , Juquan Song, David N Herndon, Celeste C Finnerty, Darren Boehning, José M Barral, Marc G Jeschke
Affiliations

Characterization of the inflammatory response during acute and post-acute phases after severe burn

Gerd G Gauglitz et al. Shock. 2008 Nov.

Abstract

Severe burn causes a pronounced hypermetabolic response characterized by catabolism and extensive protein wasting. We recently found that this hypermetabolic state is driven by a severe inflammatory response. We characterized in detail the kinetics of serum levels of a panel of cytokines in a rat model, which may serve as reference for the development of therapeutic interventions applicable to humans. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 8) received a full-thickness burn of 60% total body surface area. Serum was harvested 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 96, and 168 h after burn. Eight serum cytokines commonly used to assess the inflammatory response in humans, such as IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10, TNF, vascular endothelial growth factor, and monocyte chemotactic protein 1, and the rat-specific cytokines cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC) 1, CINC-2, and CINC-3 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique and were compared with controls (n = 4). Statistical analysis was conducted using the t test, with P < 0.05 considered as significantly different. Thermal injury resulted in significantly increased serum levels of IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10, monocyte chemotactic protein 1, CINC-1, CINC-2, and CINC-3 when compared with the concentrations detected in nonburned rats (P < 0.05). Serum levels of TNF-alpha and vascular endothelial growth factor in burned rats were not found to be significantly different to controls. Burn causes a profound inflammatory response in rats. Specific cytokines known to increase in humans postburn such as IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-10, MCP-1, and IL-8 (CINC-1, CINC-2, and CINC-3 in the rat) were also observed in our rat burn model, which now allows us to study new anti-inflammatory treatment options.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.. Cytokines commonly used to evaluate the inflammatory response are elevated in the rat burn model.
A, Serum IL-1β levels are significantly increased up to 48 days postburn compared with controls. B, Serum IL-6 levels are significantly increased up to 168 days postburn compared with controls. C, Serum IL-10 levels are significantly increased up to 96 days postburn compared with controls. D, Serum MCP-1 levels are significantly increased up to 96 days postburn compared with controls. Throughout the figure, histograms depict serum concentrations of the respective cytokine at steady-state levels. Results shown represent eight different animals per group, as indicated in the main text. Bars represent means; error bars correspond to SEM. Asterisks denote statistical significance: P < 0.05 for every comparison between groups.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.. Cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant family members are elevated in the rat burn model.
A, Cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant 1 levels are significantly increased up to 96 days postburn compared with controls. B, Cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant 2 levels are significantly increased up to 168 days postburn compared with controls. C, Cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant 3 levels are significantly increased up to 168 days postburn compared with controls. Throughout the figure, histograms depict serum concentrations of the respective CINC protein at steady-state levels. Results shown represent eight different animals per group, as indicated. Bars represent means; error bars correspond to SEM. Asterisks denote statistical significance: P < 0.05 for every comparison between groups.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.. Heat map comparing normal and burn serum cytokine protein expression profiles.
Values (average cytokine concentration; picograms per milliliter), with blue indicating lowest levels, yellow indicating highest levels, and black in the middle. Gray squares indicate that no expression was detected.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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