Effect of tissue extract on healing of experimental burn ulcers

Abstract

Tissue extracts from subcutaneous tissue of albino rats subjected to massive lower limb scalds were demonstrated, upon intraperitoneal injection on the seventh day of healing, to alter the healing process in locally induced burn ulcers of approximately ten percent of the body surface. In large doses the lipoidal fraction of the extracts was lethal to the rats and in smaller doses caused a decreased healing of the ulcer. Extracts composed of the protein fraction from the scalded skin also proved to be toxic; however, much less severe manifestations were produced than with the lipoidal fraction. Intraperitoneal injections of cortisone in twice the amount normally present decreased healing but did not alter the weight gain. The extracts of the burned tissue markedly decreased the body weights of the animals to a degree similar to that observed in animals receiving extensive body burns. Tissue extract from the rats receiving no burns and the controls showed no decrease in healing of wounds or weight changes. For the first time, insofar as it could be determined, computer analysis was applied to successive stages of healing of experimental burns. This technique removed the subjective bias hitherto present in evaluation of progressive burn healing. This investigation demonstrated that in both the lipoidal and the protein concentrates of burned tissue there are toxic substances that alter the rate of healing in experimental burn ulcers of albino rats.