OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of hyperoxic Ringer's solution on inhalation injury given at early postburn stage in rabbit.

METHODSSeventy-seven rabbits were randomly divided into four groups, i.e. A (normal control, n = 5, without injury), B (n = 24, with Ringer's solution infusion for 10 days after injury), C (n = 24, with hyperoxic Ringer's solution infusion for 10 days after injury) and D (n = 24, without treatment after injury) groups. The rabbits in B, C and D groups were observed on 1 post injury day (PID), 2 PID, 3 PID, 5 PID, 7 PID and 10 PID, with 4 in each time points. The vital signs and survival rate were observed and the blood gas analysis, the WBC and PMN in the peripheral blood, ratio of wet/dry weight (W/D) of the lung tissue, the MDA, SOD contents in the pulmonary tissue, and the pulmonary pathomorphology were determined by corresponding methods.

RESULTSThe respiratory rate of the rabbits increased postburn, which was accompanied with gasping breath, flapping of nasal alae, frequent cough, and increased buccal and nasal secretion. Dry and wet rales were heard in the lungs after injury. The survival rate in D, B and C groups was 13.3%, 27.8% and 65.6%, respectively. Metabolic acidosis was identified in these groups by blood gas analysis. The indices of PaCO2, WBC, PMN, W/D, MDA in B, C and D groups were higher than those in A group in the order of D > B > C > A groups. While the pH, PaO2 value and SOD content in D group were lower than those in A group in the order of D < B < C < A groups (P < 0.05). Pathomorphological examination revealed that pulmonary volume increased after the injury with microscopic inflammatory changes in pulmonary tissue in B, C and D groups. While the extent and degree of injury in C group after the treatment of hyperoxic Ringer's solution were evidently less severe than those in other groups.

CONCLUSIONEarly administration of hyperoxic Ringer's solution during the early postburn stage could be beneficial to the management of inhalation injury.