The effect of an SOD derivative (SM-SOD) administration in a burned rat model

To determine whether superoxide radicals may influence the pathogenesis of burn injury, we investigated the effects of a long-acting, site-directed superoxide dismutase derivative (SM-SOD) on the rats subjected to burn shock. Anesthesized animals were injected intravenously with either 2 ml/kg of saline or SM-SOD (10 mg/kg; dissolved in saline). After 30 min they were subjected to full-thickness burns of about 40% of total body surface area. The 7-day survival rate was significantly higher in the SM-SOD-treated animals than in the untreated controls. Also, administration of SM-SOD markedly inhibited the increase in the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive metabolites, such as lipid peroxides in the plasma, lung and kidney, and the decrease in plasma protein levels particularly at the early stage of burn injury. These findings suggested that superoxide radicals may play a critical role in the pathogenesis following thermal injury.