Objective: To study the dynamic changes in lipid peroxidation and the activity of antioxidative enzyme in canine limbs with gunshot wound in hot and humid environment.
Methods: Eighteen dogs with gunshot wound were randomly assigned into 3 groups with equal numbers. Dogs observed after injury in normal environment was designated as NE group, those in hot and humid environment as HHE group and those in hot and humid environment with preceding heat acclimatization training as HA group. Contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malonaldehyde (MDA) in both the peripheral blood and muscular tissues from gunshot wound tract were measured at 0, 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 14, 18 and 24 h respectively after the dogs had been wounded.
Results: Positive correlation between SOD and MDA contents was observed in each group. Three hours after injury, MDA level in HHE group began to ascend, reaching the peak level at 6 h that was significantly higher than those in the other 2 groups (P<0.05); SOD level underwent a reverse change, which was significantly lower in HHE group than in the other groups with that in HA group being the highest. Comparable SOD levels in the groups occurred at the time of 14 h, which happened to MDA levels 4 h later.
Conclusion: Gunshot injuries in the limbs of dogs exposed to hot and humid environment induces increased free oxygen and aggravated the lipid peroxidation, which can be alleviated by heat acclimatization.