OBJECTIVETo investigate the characteristics of the intra- and extra-hepatocyte sodium ions distribution in scalded rats during early postburn stage,with the aim of improving burn shock resuscitation regime and the resuscitation effects.

METHODSAdult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham scalding (C, n = 12) and scalding (S, n = 7) groups. The rats in S group were subjected to 40% TBSA III degree scalding on the back and were catheterized via jugular vein for fluid resuscitation. The rats in C group were catheterized via jugular vein without fluid infusion and were sham scalded by warm water in temperature of 37 degrees. The changes in the intra- and extra-hepatocyte sodium ion contents were determined in vivo by (23)Na-magnetic resonance spectrum technology, while the existing state of the intra- and extra-hepatocyte sodium ion was determined by detecting (23)Na-magnetic resonance horizontal delaying time (T(2)).

RESULTSThe extra-hepatocyte sodium content in S group at 24 postburn hours (PBHs) was 17% less than that in C group. In addition, the T(2f) (fast T(2)) in S group remained stable but maintained a higher ratio during the observation time. This suggested that the sodium binding sites in extra-hepatocyte matrix increased relatively and that intra-hepatocyte sodium content increased by 57%. But the T(2) and the fast and slow parts of the T(2) kept stable, which implied that intra-hepatocyte catabolizing products were increased. This led to an increase in the sodium ion binding sites within intra-hepatocyte matrix in proportion to the sodium ion content.

CONCLUSIONDuring early postburn stage, the extra-hepatocyte sodium in a remote organ such as the liver exhibited relative deficiency due to its ingress into hepatocyte cytoplasm and to the increase of sodium combining sites.