Cutaneous thermal injury increases leukocyte adherence in rat mesenteric venules by a mast cell‐independent mechanism (678.15)

Abstract

Background: The inflammatory response following major burns is known to cause remote organ dysfunction, although the underlying mechanisms are not yet known. Purpose: Our goal was to determine if thermal injury to the skin of rats would promote microvascular inflammation in the mesenteric microcirculation, and if the mechanism involved degranulation of mast cells. Methods: Intravital microscopy was used to assess mast cell degranulation and leukocyte adherence in mesenteric venules of anesthetized rats. Thermal injury was induced by exposing skin on the back of animals to steam for 1 min. The area of injury was ~ 40% of the total surface area. Control animals were not exposed to steam. Results: Leukocyte adherence significantly increased during 5 h after burn, but not in control animals. Mast cell degranulation was not increased by burns, and the mast cell stabilizer cromolyn did not attenuate leukocyte adherence in burned rats. Conclusions: Thermal injury to the skin of rats resulted in microvascular inflammation in the mesenteric microcirculation of rats by a mechanism independent of mast cell activation.