OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes and significance of serum gastrin (GAS), beta-endorphin (beta-EP) and plasma motilin (MTL) in patients with severe burns.

METHODSBlood samples were gotten according to different timepoints from 32 admitted burned patients, and then serum GAS, beta-EP and plasma MTL were determined by radio-immuno assay (RIA).

RESULTSIn patients with severe burns, serum GAS decreased significantly in early period. And at the timepoint of 8 h, it reached the lowest level. But during 9-24 h it elevated for a while, and then it reached a relatively stable level. MTL reached the highest level at the timepoint of 2 h after burning. Then at the shock stage, it was comparatively lower. And at the timepoint of 8 h after burning, it reached the lowest level, then raised persistently after reabsorption, but still lower than the normal level. At the early stage after burning, beta-EP raised, then reached the highest level at 8 h after burning. GAS and MTL decreased and beta-EP increased significantly with the increase of the burned area. However, when the burned area was over 70% of the total body surface area, there was no relationship between them.

CONCLUSIONBlood GAS, MTL and beta-EP have represented regular changes in patients with severe burns at the early stage after burning. And the pain-stimulus and shock are effective factors.