Destructive pulmonary effects of smoke inhalation and simultaneous alterations in circulating IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ levels at different burn depths: an experimental study on rats

J Burn Care Res. 2013 May-Jun;34(3):334-41. doi: 10.1097/BCR.0b013e3182644e9b.

Abstract

The current study sought to examine the interactions between inflammatory and immune events in the lung and circulating interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) levels at different burn depths with concomitant smoke inhalation in the rat model. Forty-eight female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups: S, sham; P, partial-thickness burns; F, full-thickness burns; I, inhalation; Pi, partial-thickness burns + inhalation; and Fi, full-thickness burns + inhalation. Blood samples and lung biopsies were obtained 24 hours later. Blood levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IF-γ were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The proportions of CD3+ lymphocytes and CD68+ macrophages in the biopsies were studied immunohistochemically. The most severe inflammatory changes, except the neutrophil sequestration, were observed in the Fi group. A dense amount of neutrophils was observed in the F group. Edema and massive alveolar bleeding were seen in the I, Pi, and Fi groups. The amount of CD3+ lymphocytes were dense in the P, F, and Pi groups. The amount of CD68+ macrophages were significantly dense in Pi, F, I, and Fi groups. IL-6, TNF-α, and IF-γ increased in all groups when compared to the S group. The highest IL-6 level was seen in the Fi group. TNF-α significantly increased in the F, Pi, I, and Fi groups. Increase in IFN-γ levels in the Pi and Fi groups was significantly higher than in the P and F groups. In concomitant smoke inhalation and skin burns, pulmonary damage and systemic inflammatory response are related and may be evaluated by blood levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ cytokines.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biopsy
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Interferon-gamma / blood*
  • Interleukin-6 / blood*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Smoke Inhalation Injury / blood*
  • Smoke Inhalation Injury / physiopathology*
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / blood*

Substances

  • Interleukin-6
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Interferon-gamma