The effect of WR-2721 (amifostine) on bacterial translocation after burn injury

Bacterial translocation and sepsis are major causes of mortality and morbidity after a severe trauma like burn. Various therapeutic medicines and models have been put forward to decrease bacterial translocation. We sought to examine the effect of WR-2721 (Amifostine) on bacterial translocation, which is proven to be protective of normal tissue cells against the effects of ionized radiation and cemotheraputical agents. Twenty-seven Wistar albino rats, weighing between 180-350 grams were used. They were separated into 3 groups, each containing 9 rats. Group I: Control group, Group II: had 30% third-degree burns, Group III: had Amifostine-applied rats after third degree burn. After anesthesia, the dorsum of the rats was shaved, 30% of the total body surface was calculated, and a third-degree burn was performed with contact injury. For resuscitation, intraperitoneal 0.9% saline solution was applied. Forty-eight hours after the burn injury, a laparotomy was done in steril conditions, and tissue samples were taken (from the middle lobe of the liver, the spleen, the mesenteric lymph nodes and the cecum respectively) and cultured. The type and number of colonies of microorganisms were all recorded. Statistical analyses were done by a 1-way analysis of variance (One-Way ANOVA). Values for P < .05 were accepted as statistically significant. In the control group, colonization showed only in the cecum. In Group II and III, colonization was shown in the mediastinal lymph node, in the spleen, in the cecum and in the liver. Most microorganisms were shown in the mesenteric lymph node and cecum. E. coli was the most colonized bacteria among the groups. According to the number and type of the organism, Group II showed more colonization than Group III, but no statistical significance was detected. Group III had lesser colonization than Group II; however, no significant effect of Amifostine was shown on the prevention of bacterial translocation. The facts that antioxidant therapies decrease mortality and improve microvascular circulation in burns, could be helpful in preventing bacterial translocation. Keyword: Bacterial translocation, burn, WR-2721 (Amifostine)