β-glucan protects against burn-induced oxidative organ damage in rats

Thermal injury may lead to systemic inflammatory response, and multiple organ failure. Generation of reactive oxygen radicals and lipid peroxidation play important roles in burn-induced remote organ injury. In the present study, we investigated the putative protective effect of local or systemic β-glucan treatment on burn-induced remote organ injury. Wistar albino rats were exposed to 90 °C bath for 10 s to induce thermal trauma. β-glucan (3.75 mg/rat locally or 50 mg/kg orally) or saline was administered immediately after the trauma and were repeated twice daily in 48 h groups. Rats were decapitated either 6 or 48 h after burn injury and the skin, lung, liver, ileum and kidney tissues were taken for the measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA) — an index of lipid peroxidation — and glutathione (GSH) — a key antioxidant — levels. Neutrophil infiltration was evaluated by the measurement of tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, while the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels were measured in serum samples. Skin tissues were also examined microscopically. Severe skin scald injury (30% of total body surface area) caused significant decreases in GSH levels of the liver and intestinal tissues (p