Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory effect of theophylinne in electrical burns: A rat model summary

In our study conducted at the Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery of Trakya University Faculty of Medicine, we aimed to diminish the neutrophil migration, and consequently, the inflammation and necrosis, associated with the utilization of theophylline in the treatment of electrical burns, which constitute a significant patient group presenting with burns. Our objective was also to reduce potential complications that might arise following electrical burns. In our research, electrical burns were induced in Wistar Albino rats. A total of 5 groups were formed: a control group established to assess baseline values of the subjects, two groups that received and did not receive theophylline treatment 24 hours after the electrical burn, and two groups that received and did not receive theophylline treatment for 1 week. Thus, we aimed to investigate the effects of theophylline during the acute phase of the burn process, namely hemostasis and the second stage, inflammation. Blood samples obtained were biochemically evaluated. Samples taken from the transition zones of the burns were assessed histopathologically. Rats and amputated tissues were weighed before and after drying. The measurements, biochemical, and pathological examinations were statistically analyzed. In our study, the positive impact of daily single-dose theophylline treatment on the inflammatory process was observed clinically, pathologically, and biochemically throughout the planned 1-week period. However, no clinically and statistically significant positive outcome was found in the hemostasis phase of burn healing with the 1-day treatment period. In conclusion, theophylline treatment demonstrated beneficial effects on the healing of electrical burns. We are of the opinion that this study can serve as a precursor for future multi-center studies with higher sample sizes.