N-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation After Burn Supports Wound Healing and Prevents Systemic Inflammation. An Experimental Study in Rats

Abstract

Objective: Burn may cause hypersensitivity towards infection, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, respiratory distress syndrome and multiple organ failure. Anti-inflammatory and resistance towards infection effects of omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids was shown before. But their effect on systemic inflammation and wound healing after burn was not investigated. 
 Methods: Seventy Wistar albino rats were used in the study. Fourteen rats without burn composed the control group. Cutaneous burn was created on remaining 56 rats which received 50 mg/kg/day intraperitoneal ringer lactat solution in two equal amounts. Twenty-eight rats with burn received injections of n-3 1 mg/kg/day throughout the study. Rats in control group were sacrificed on day 4 and rats in treatment groups were sacrificed on days 4 and 8. Leukocyte and mast cell infiltration, epidermal and collagen thickness measurements were used in histological evaluation. White blood cell, hematocrite, total protein, albumin, fibronectin, TNFα, IL1β and IL6 levels were measured for biochemical evaluations. 
 Results: Elevation of leukocyte and mast cell infiltration was lower and collagen thickness was higher in n-3 receiving group on day 4. There was no difference in leukocyte infiltration on the 8th day whereas mast cell infiltration was lower and collagen thickness was higher in n-3 receiving group. Epidermal thickness was higher in n-3 receiving group on both evaluation days. White blood cell counts were higher in 8th day than 4th day groups. Total protein on 8th, IL-6 on 4th, and albumin levels on both days was lower than control.
 Conclusion: N-3 fatty acids used after burn enhances wound healing and prevents systemic inflammation.