OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of the decomposition products of necrotic tissues from wounds on the serum levels of inflammation factors in comparison with endotoxin.

METHODSThirty adult New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups and received injections of saline, necrotic tissue homogenate or endotoxin. From each rabbit, blood samples (2 ml) were collected from the central artery of the ears at 0, 2, 6, 12, 24, 30, 36, 48, and 60 h after the injection for measurement of serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-6.

RESULTSThe serum level of TNF-α, IL-1 and IL-6 in the rabbits increased 2-4 h after injection of the necrotic tissue homogenate and reached the peak level at 12 h, followed by a gradual reduction since 36 h. No obvious changes in the levels of the inflammatory factors were found in saline group (P<0.01). Compared with endotoxin, necrotic tissue homogenate resulted in an early increment (2-4 h vs 5-6 h) and significantly higher peak levels (at 30 h) of the inflammation factors (P<0.05). Curve fitting showed a distinct difference between necrotic tissue homogenate and endotoxin in their effect on the inflammatory factors.

CONCLUSIONThe necrotic tissue decomposition products contain toxic substances that possess a different toxicity profile from endotoxin, and their toxicity can be even stronger.