400 Investigating the Mechanisms Involved in Cardiovascular Morbidity Following Non Sever Burn Injury

Abstract Introduction Recently published research correlating animal, patient and West Australian population data strongly suggests that non-severe burn injury (NSBI) leads to long-term cardiovascular morbidity in some patients. The cause of this is unknown and is likely to be multi-factorial. Methods 1. Using a validated rodent (C57Bl/6 female mice) model of NSBI;(i) Endothelial relaxation was analysed using 2mm segments of abdominal aorta. Vessels were mounted on a small vessel wire myograph system 620M (DMT, Denmark), preconstricted using phenlyephrine and then response to acetylcholine (endothelial dependent relaxation) and sodium nitroprusside (endothelial independent relaxation) was measured, percentage endothelial relaxation was then calculated.(ii) Following cardiac venepuncture platelet analysis was performed using flow cytometry, laser scatter and CD61 expression to identify platelets. CD62P expression was used as a marker of activation and or granule exocytosis. Mice were placed on normal or high fat diet. Day 7 and Day 28 timepoints were used. 2. Short Chain Fatty Acid Analysis was performed on plasma samples from paediatric patients following NSBI. Levels of Acetate, Proprionate and Butyrate were compared between NSBI and control groups.Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS and graphpad prism statistical software. Results In the murine model of NSBI provisional data suggests endothelial dysfunction in the high fat diet group only. Provisional murine platelet analysis shows statistically significant up-regulation of platelets at day 28 post NSBI. In paediatric plasma samples there is no statistically significant difference in acetate, proprionate or butyrate levels, however there is a considerable standard deviation, therefore analysis of more samples is required and will be presented. Conclusions There is Endothelial dysfunction in the murine model of NSBI when the mice are fed high fat diet, highlighting the impact of this as a pre-exisiting independent risk factor in burns patients. Platelet up-regulation is seen in mice following a NSBI, platelet up regulation is associated with acute coronary syndrome in patients. Applicability of Research to Practice This research investigates the link between increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and a non-severe burn injury.