Effect of 200 mEq/L Na+ hypertonic saline resuscitation on systemic inflammatory response and oxidative stress in severely burned rats

BackgroundExcessive release of inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress play important roles in the increased vascular permeability and systemic edema during the early stage of severe burn. This study investigates the effect of 200 mEq/L Na+ hypertonic saline (HS) on systemic inflammatory response and oxidative stress in severely burned rats.Materials and methodsSprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: sham group, burn plus lactated Ringer's group, and burn plus HS group. Lung edema was assessed in terms of wet-weight-to-dry-weight ratio. Tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 6 concentrations in serum were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated and the expression of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase was determined by Western blot analysis. The lung and intestinal concentrations of malondialdehyde, an indicator of oxidative stress, were also measured.ResultsResuscitation with 200 mEq/L Na+ HS significantly decreased the lung wet-weight-to-dry-weight ratio and abolished hyponatremia induced by burn injury. HS treatment also prevented the increases of myeloperoxidase activity and malondialdehyde content in the lung and intestine of severely burned rats. However, there were no significant differences, either in serum tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 6 concentrations or with respect to the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, between the burn plus lactated Ringer's group and burn plus HS group (P > 0.05).ConclusionsInitial resuscitation with 200 mEq/L Na+ HS after severe burn injury decreases pulmonary edema, prevents hyponatremia, and attenuates oxidative stress, but is not capable of inhibiting the systemic inflammatory response.