Salvaging the Zone of Stasis in Burns by Pentoxifylline: An Experimental Study in Rats

Surrounding the zone of coagulation is the zone of stasis, which is characterized as a mix of viable and nonviable cells, capillary vasoconstriction, and ischemia. Saving the zone of stasis is a major subject of the burn wound studies. If pathological changes in the zone of stasis can be minimized, conversion of burn wounds may be prevented. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of pentoxifylline (PTX) on the zone of stasis in burns and burn wound healing. Twenty Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. Comb model was used to create zone of stasis in burns. Treatment group received a total of 200 mg/kg/d of PTX in two equal doses intraperitoneally whereas isotonic saline solution was given intraperitoneally to the control group. This treatment was continued until postburn day 17. Tissue samples were taken from the burn wounds on postburn days 3, 7, and 17. Fibroblastic and vascular density, inflammatory cells, re-epithelialization rates were assessed in histopathological study. Furthermore, macroscopic healing of burn areas on the right side were compared between the groups by taking pictures on postburn day 17. PTX treatment decreased inflammation of the burn wound in the early postburn period. Comparing the necrotic area between the groups, PTX apparently had lower rate of necrosis. PTX treatment increased re-epithelialization of burns wounds. Our study concluded that systemic treatment of burns by PTX enhances burn wound healing and helps salvaging the damaged but live cells in the zone of stasis by increasing the rate of epithelization, decreasing the necrotic area and preventing the deepening of the burn wound.