OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation on the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in the lung tissues of rats with early-stage burn injury.

METHODSWistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, namely the normal control, burn, burn and PDTC treatment groups, and in the latter two groups, the rats were subjected to 35% TBSA full-thickness burns. Activation of pulmonary NF-kappaB at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 postburn hour (PBH) was tested by electrophoretic mobility shift assay , and the expressions of pulmonary tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) mRNAs at 3, 6, 12, and 24 h were detected by RT-PCR.

RESULTSCompared to that of the control group, activity of pulmonary NF-kappaB in burned rats was markedly increased within 1 PBH and kept increasing till 24 h. Expressions of pulmonary TNF alpha and IL-8 mRNAs increased gradually, reaching the peak level at 6 PBH, and PDTC could effectively inhibit pulmonary NF-kappaB activation and expression of the pulmonary cytokines induced by the burn injury.

CONCLUSIONSevere burn injury may activate pulmonary NF-kappaB, which ultimately leads to secretion of cytokines in the lung tissues.