<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Smoke inhalation injury is associated with high incidence of pulmonary complications as it represents a major cause of mortality after
major burn injury. Burn is associated with release of inflammatory mediators which ultimately cause local and distant pathophysiological
effects. The present study investigated the effect of smoke inhalation or\and burn injury on the antioxidants status in the lungs in a
rat model to simulate an inhalation injury as might be encountered by firefighters and burn victims. Seventy five rats were equally
randomized to five groups: Sham group, smoke inhalation injury group, burn group, sham burn group, and smoke burn group. At
the end of the exposure protocol rats were killed by cervical decapitation and the lungs were removed completely and processed for
histopathological and biochemical analysis by measuring lung antioxidant enzyme activities: Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide
dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPs) level, as an index of lipid peroxidation. Grossly, results showed that rats´lungs in
the smoke inhalation group and the smoke burn group showed multiple hemorrhagic spots. Light microscopic examination showed
localized and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. Two rats in the burn group had evidence of pneumonia and lung abscesses. Biochemically,
results showed that both smoke inhalation and burn injury significantly elevated lung MDA and glutathione peroxidase levels when
compared with controls. The combined smoke and burn group resulted in a more significant rise in both antioxidant levels indicating
a higher level of lipid peroxidation. SOD level was significantly lowered on exposure to both conditions when compared to control.
SOD level was significantly lower in the combined injury group when compared to either smoke or burn alone. In conclusion; the
above data provide evidence that inhalation injury with and without burn decrease tissue antioxidant capacity and increase tissue
peroxidative injury.</p></abstract>

Smoke inhalation injury is associated with high incidence of pulmonary complications as it represents a major cause of mortality after
major burn injury. Burn is associated with release of inflammatory mediators which ultimately cause local and distant pathophysiological
effects. The present study investigated the effect of smoke inhalation or\and burn injury on the antioxidants status in the lungs in a
rat model to simulate an inhalation injury as might be encountered by firefighters and burn victims. Seventy five rats were equally
randomized to five groups: Sham group, smoke inhalation injury group, burn group, sham burn group, and smoke burn group. At
the end of the exposure protocol rats were killed by cervical decapitation and the lungs were removed completely and processed for
histopathological and biochemical analysis by measuring lung antioxidant enzyme activities: Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide
dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPs) level, as an index of lipid peroxidation. Grossly, results showed that rats´lungs in
the smoke inhalation group and the smoke burn group showed multiple hemorrhagic spots. Light microscopic examination showed
localized and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. Two rats in the burn group had evidence of pneumonia and lung abscesses. Biochemically,
results showed that both smoke inhalation and burn injury significantly elevated lung MDA and glutathione peroxidase levels when
compared with controls. The combined smoke and burn group resulted in a more significant rise in both antioxidant levels indicating
a higher level of lipid peroxidation. SOD level was significantly lowered on exposure to both conditions when compared to control.
SOD level was significantly lower in the combined injury group when compared to either smoke or burn alone. In conclusion; the
above data provide evidence that inhalation injury with and without burn decrease tissue antioxidant capacity and increase tissue
peroxidative injury.

Inhalation injury and burn trauma: an experimental 
investigation of oxidative stress and histopathology

Forensic Medicine & Clinical Toxicology Department

Biochemistry Department Faculty of Medicine- Minia University, Egypt

Scandinavian Journal of Forensic Science

Smoke inhalation injury is associated with high incidence of pulmonary complications as it represents a major cause of mortality after
major burn injury. Burn...

Inhalation injury and burn trauma: an experimental investigation of oxidative stress and histopathology

Published Online: Dec 31, 2013

Page range: 39 - 44

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/sjfs-2013-0007

Keywords
Smoke inhalation injury, burn injury, experimental models, oxidative stress

This content is open access.