Changes in erythrocyte membranes in burned rabbits

Abstract

Eighteen white rabbits were subjected to a 30 per cent TBSA full thickness burn. Wound infection was found 9–13 days after injury and became severe a week or so later. ATPase activities, antioxidation ability, the proteins of erythrocyte membranes, and the Na + contents of erythrocytes and serum were determined. The Ca ++-ATPase activity was elevated during the first 17 days postburn, but showed a decline at the time of severe wound infection; the Na +, K +-ATPase activity showed peaks on postburn days 2 and 6, and then fluctuated above the preburn level. The change in Mg ++-ATPase activity was similar to Na +,K +-ATPase. The erythrocyte Na + content was increased, and the level of serum Na + was decreased up to postburn day 6. Subsequently the erythrocyte Na + was reduced and the serum Na + increased up to day 17 postburn. The percentage of erythrocyte haemolysis in H 2O 2 was increased after the burn and became markedly so during wound infection, indicating that the antioxidation ability of burned rabbit erythrocytes was markedly impaired. During the period of wound infection, Coomassie blue-stained protein bands in SDS-polyacrylamide gel showed some changes in size and proportion in burned rabbits. For example, the second band was wider, the band 2 to band I ratio increased, and band 5 was smaller than before injury. These results seem to show that burn injury, especially when associated with sepsis, may affect both the structure and function of biological membranes.