Direct current reduces accumulation of Evans Blue albumin in full-thickness burns.

BACKGROUND: Application of direct current (DC) to a burn wound limits extension of the zone-of-stasis and reduces wound tissue edema. OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of DC on extravasation of plasma proteins after burn by using Evans blue (EB) as a marker of plasma albumin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats with 20% total body surface area full-thickness scalds (100 degrees C/10 sec) were used as the experimental model. Burn wounds were treated with plain nylon, silver-nylon, silver-nylon and 40 microA DC, or no dressing. EB (30 mg/kg) was injected immediately or at variably delayed postburn (PB) times and accompanied by DC application at various time intervals PB. Tissue content of Evans blue was assessed at different times after injection of the dye or infliction of burn injury. RESULTS: Evans blue albumin (EBA) concentration in untreated burn wounds (307.7 microg/g tissue) was nine times greater than in unburned skin (36.5 microg/g tissue) at 48 hours PB. When animals received a DC and EB injection immediately PB, DC treatment reduced EBA concentration by 60% at any time point PB. When EB was injected immediately PB, or at variably delayed times PB, accompanied by DC immediately PB, or at variably delayed times PB, DC reduced EBA accumulation at all examined times PB by more the 50% (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: EBA and edema fluid accumulation in burn wound change in concert after injury and show similar response to DC treatment.