‘Metabolic’ factors in thermal injury: role of nucleic acids

Abstract

We believe that toxic events observed after thermal injury may be caused by the release of normally intracellular substances into the circulation. We define these substances as ‘metabolic’ factors. Analysis of extracts prepared from normal and burned mouse skin indicates that the burned skin extract contains increased clot-promoting (Thromboplastin-like) substances and, perhaps, less RNA than normal skin extracts. Injection of RNA or its breakdown products into the burned site significantly increases the acute mortality in burned mice. No increase in mortality is observed when these substances are injected into a non-burned site on burned mice. We suggest that (Thromboplastin-like substances and RNA or RNA breakdown products may be some of the ‘metabolic’ factors involved in acute burn toxicity. Upon being released from their intracellular residence after thermal injury, their combined activity contributes to the acute mortality observed.