[Dynamic observation of the fibronectin content in plasma and subeschar tissue following burn]

Plasma and subeschar Fn levels were measured by one-dimension rocket immunoelectrophoresis and hemagglutination assay. In 16 healthy individuals, the mean value of plasma Fn was 318.7 +/- 82 micrograms/ml. In 16 burn patients with burn extent over 50% there was a significant lower plasma Fn value in all cases on the 1 day postburn (197.2 +/- 69.5) and 1 week postburn (189.4 +/- 84). It returned to within normal range on the 2 or 3 weeks postburn. Plasma Fn decreased progressively before death in 7 non-survivors. In another 19 patients with minor burns (less than 50%) plasma Fn values were all within normal range. Fn level of subeschar tissue shown by the study, Fn sequestration at sites of tissue injury may serve as a physiologic role in wound healing, this may also contribute to a deficiency of Fn in the plasma that may decrease host defense function. The causes of reduction of plasma Fn in major burned patients with sepsis were briefly discussed.