Biochemical alterations of amino acids, neurotransmitters and hepatic functions after thermal injury in rats

Thermal injury in human and animals models may be complicated by dysfunction to organs distant from the original burn wound. The physiopathological events following thermal injury are not limited to the surface effects of heat but are also related to an acute inflammatory reaction with increased muscle protein breakdown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the biochemical alterations of some amino acids, brain neurotransmitters and hepatic functions during postburn stage in scalded rats. Male Wistar rats inflicted by 30% total body surface area [TBSA] were employed as the model and were randomly divided into 5 groups; normal sham control, 1,3,5 and 7 days postburn groups, with 8 rats in each groups. Serum levels of IL-6 was estimated by ELISA method. Serum concentrations of amino acids were determined by amino acid analyzer. Levels of homocystein and glutathione were estimated by HPLC method. At the sametime, brain neurotransmitters, serum ALT, AST, ALP and gamma-GT levels were also assayed. There was a decreasing tendency in varying degrees in serum concentrations of most amino acids at each time points. Serum homocysteine level in all scalding groups were markedly lower than that in sham control group at all postburn time points. GSH concentration was significantly decreased at D5 and D7, however, the concentration of GSSG was increased at D1, D3 and D7 and GSH/GSSG ratio was decreased at D1, D3, D5 and D7 postburn when compared to the sham control. There was increasing tendency in brain concentration of norepinephrine and dopamine, while the level of brain serotonin showed a pronounced decrease after one day following burn injury and 3 and 5 days postburn its levels increased significantly when compared to sham group. At the seventh day following burn, serotonin level was found to be replenished back to that of the sham control group. The serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP and gamma-GT were increased obviously at all postbum time points. In conclusion, we found that, there were significant changes in serum contents of amino acids and brain neurotransmitters during postbum stage in scalded rats, which might be related to the early excessive release of inflammatory mediators, enhanced degradation of skeletal muscle and impairment of hepatic function

Circulating adhesion molecules in type 11 diabetic patients with and without vascular complications

Diabetes mellitus type II is considered to be a risk factor for atherosclerotic diseases. Leucocyte adhesion to arterial endothelial cells is thought to be an important step in development of atherosclerosis. In this study, the concentrations of soluble adhesion molecules [sICAM-l and sVCAM-l] were elevated in patients with type II [Non-insulin dependent] [NIDDM] with [n=27] and without [n=33] vascular complications compared with those of healthy non-diabetic control subjects [n.=13]. However, the mechanisms responsible for elevation of soluble adhesion molecules are poorly understood. The present study was undertaken to investigate the relationships between serum concentrations of soluble adhesion molecules and blood sugar level, insulin resistance and other conventional risk factors in type II diabetes such as some clotting factors and lipid profiles in type II diabetes with and without vascular complications. Pearson's correlations were carried out in this study. It has been found that, in diabetic patients-type II with vascular complications, the concentration of sICAM-l and sVCAM-l were correlated significantly with fasting, postprandial giucose, factor VII, factor VIII and plasminogen activator inhibitor [PAI], while sICAM-l has only marked correlation with triacylglycerol, cholesterol and LDL [r = 0.453, p=/<0.018, r = 0.404, p=/< 0.036 and r = 0.386, p=/< 0.04 respectively] and sVCAM-l was related significantly with insulin resistance [r = 0.445, p=/<0.02] whereas, in diabetic patients type 11 without vascular complications, sICAM-l was correlated significantly with fasting and postprandial glucose, insulin resistance and PAI, while sVCAM-l has relationship with both triacylglycerol and cholesterol levels. Thus, the present study suggested that the levels of soluble adhesion molecules in diabetic patients type II with dyslipidaemic and hypercoagulable state may be a marker of endothelial cell activation or dysfunction, and may be related to the "activity" of multiple cell types in atherosclerotic lesions. Furthermore, they may serve as a tool to monitor the impact of prevention and intervention on vascular damage