ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the protective effects of small dose of dopamine on the intestinal mucosa of scalded rats in shock stage.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Wistar rats inflicted by 30% TBSA of III degree scalding were employed as the model. The rats were pre-placed with cardiac catheter before and were resuscitated intravenously after injury. The scalded rats were treated by routine (control) and small dose of dopamine (3 micro g.kg(-1).min(-1)), respectively. The changes of rat serum levels of diamine oxidase (DAO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and lactic acid (LA) were observed after treatment. And the pathomorphological changes of the intestine were scored.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The general condition of the rats with dopamine treatment in shock stage was better than that in control group. The rat serum levels of MDA, LA and DAO decreased obviously, especially during 3 to 12 postburn hours (PBHs) after treatment by small dose of dopamine. The pathomorphological scoring of ileum in dopamine treating group was better than that in control.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The intestinal mucosa of severely scalded rats in shock stage could be well protected by small dose of dopamine.</p>