Insulin resistance following thermal injury: an animal study

The aim of this study was to investigate the changes of glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic glucose clamps following a 30% TBSA full thickness third degree burn in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 160-170g received 30% TBSA full thickness third degree burn by immersing the back of trunk for 12s in a boiling water bath under anesthesia. Weight- and time-matched sham burn group (control) was treated in the same manner as the trauma group, except that they were immersed in a room-temperature water bath. After 12h overnight fasting, plasma insulin concentration was determined by ELISA using rat-insulin enzyme immunoassay kit (SPI-BIO) and blood glucose was assayed by glucose analyzer at 3 days after burn. Insulin sensitivity index was calculated by using slightly modified formula. The rat was injected with 5% glucose (2g/kg body weight, intraperitoneally) to observe the change of glucose tolerance at 3 days after burn. Euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic glucose clamps were performed at 4 days after burn. Insulin sensitivity index of burn group was significantly reduced compared with control group at 3 days after burn (0.58+/-0.23 versus 1.23+/-0.16, P<0.01). The significant difference of glucose tolerance was observed between the two groups and the glucose infused rate measured in burned rats was significantly decreased compared with that in control at 4 days after injury (7.23+/-1.35 versus 12.31+/-0.54, P<0.01).

Burn causes the significant change of glucose metabolism and results in insulin resistance in rats.