[Effects of thermal injury on heart sialic acid content in rats]

The myocardial sialic acid content, ATPase activities, and Ca2+ level were investigated in rats with full thickness burn of 30% TBSA. The results showed that the burned rats had a decreased level of myocardial sialic acid which was only 58.8% of controls at 3 h postburn. Myocardial Na+, K(+)-ATPase, Ca2+, Mg(2+)-ATPase and Ca(2+)-ATPase activities were inhibited in burned rats. As compared to controls, the burned rats showed a higher level of Ca2+ in heart tissue. This study indicated that there were abnormal energy metabolism, dysfunction of ion pump, and paradox Ca2+ overload in burned rats, which may be associated with the decrease in sialic acid content in myocardium.