HSP72 induction of systemic organs of rats after severe burn injury

Abstract

In order to understand the stress response of systemic organs to severe burn injury, the induction of 72-kD heat shock protein (HSP72) in various organs (brain, hypophysis, lung, heart, liver, pancreas, spleen, kidney, adrenal gland, and skeletal muscle) was investigated in rats with severe burns. A full-thickness burn was induced on the rats' skin by immersing the rats in hot water (90° C) for 3 s. At 0, 24, and 48 h after the burn injury, the HSP72 expression of various organs was examined using the Western blot analysis. At 24 h after the burn injury, the level of HSP72 had increased in the hypophysis, lung, heart, and kidney. In all organs examined, the expression of HSP72 had increased at 48 h after the burn injury. The level of HSP72 was highest in the hypophysis (3.3-fold compared to the control), and lowest in the brain and adrenal gland (1.7-fold of the control) at 48 h after the burn injury. These results confirm that severe burn injury causes a stress response in systemic organs.