[Protective effects of vitamin E on impaired neutrophil phagocytic function in patients with severe burn]

The protective effects of vitamin E on impaired neutrophil phagocytic function were observed in 22 patients with severe burn. The results showed that lowering of SOD values, elevation of MDA values significantly elevated and impairment of neutrophil phagocytic function were all more marked in the patients who did not receive vitamin E than that of vitamin E treated groups and the healthy control. It was also found that there was a significant inverse correlation between MDA values of blood plasma and neutrophil phagocyte rate and phagocyte index in the patients without vitamin E treatment. The results suggested that in severely burned patients the use of free radical scavenger and antioxidant could protect the neutrophil function to certain extent. The optimal dosage of vitamin E will be further assessed.