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Published on: August 23, 2022
Tissue substance P levels in acute experimental burns
1Department of Plastic Surgery, Kuopio University Hospital/2214, 70211 Kuopio, Finland. anthony.papp@kuh.fi
Summary
Substance P (SP) levels rise in burn tissues, correlating with histamine increases. Inhibiting SP may prevent late histamine release in burn injuries.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical research
- Wound healing studies
- Neuropeptide function
Background:
- Burns trigger complex inflammatory responses.
- Histamine levels increase late after burn injury.
- The role of substance P in burn pathophysiology is under investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- Quantify tissue concentrations of substance P (SP) in burns of varying depths.
- Investigate the relationship between SP concentrations and late histamine increases in burn tissues.
Main Methods:
- Experimental animal study utilizing pigs.
- Creation of superficial, partial-thickness, and full-thickness burns.
- Microdialysis technique for sample collection in burned and control tissues over 24 hours.
Main Results:
- Substance P concentrations elevated significantly in partial and full-thickness burns within 4 hours.
- Peak SP levels observed at 18h (partial) and 12h (full thickness).
- At 24h, SP concentrations were 28-140% higher in burned tissues compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Tissue release of substance P is a potential driver of late histamine increases in burns.
- Medical inhibition of substance P presents a potential therapeutic strategy.
- Targeting SP could prevent late histamine liberation and associated burn complications.
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