Abstract
Profound immunosuppression occurs after major burn injuries. The ability of vitamin E to prevent post-burn immunosuppression was tested in mice using ear swelling in response to a challenge with 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) as an in vivo measure of cell-mediated immunity (CMI). Vitamin E was administered to burned mice every other day for 14 days by either the topical or intraperitoneal route. Dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) was compared to white petroleum jelly (VAS) as a vehicle for topically administered vitamin E. Mean CMI±the standard error of the mean (SEM) was depressed to 55±4 per cent of normal control in untreated burned mice. Treatment with either parenteral vitamin E in corn oil or topical vitamin E in DMSO improved CMI dramatically compared to burned controls (P<0·005) while vitamin E in VAS had a less beneficial effect on CMI (P<0·05). We conclude that vitamin E is an effective immunomodulator in burned mice.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 11-15 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Burns |
Volume | 11 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 1984 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Surgery
- Emergency Medicine
- Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine