OBJECTIVETo examine the expression profile of lipid metabolism-related genes in liver of scalded rats with wound sepsis, and to analyze its significance.

METHODSSixty male Wistar rats with 30% TBSA full-thickness scald wound on the back were enrolled in the study and randomly divided into wound sepsis group (n = 30) and control group (n = 30, with scald). Pseudomonas aeruginosa was inoculated to the wounds in sepsis group. Corresponding indices were determined to verify the diagnosis of wound sepsis. The rats were sacrificed and fresh liver tissues were obtained at 96 post-scald hours (PSH). Total RNA of liver was isolated with Trizol and the different expression of lipid metabolism related genes in response to burn wound sepsis was assessed by DNA microarray.

RESULTSBy comparing expression profile of the two groups, totally 47 genes were observed to be differentially expressed in rat hepatic tissues, among them 9 genes were related to lipid metabolism. Among them, those which were upregulated were genes in relation with transportation and activation of fatty acid, and those downregulated were genes related in providing energy for fatty acid oxidation in mitochondria.

CONCLUSIONThe occurrence of wound sepsis in scalded rats can induce changes in the expression of hepatic lipid metabolism related genes in hepatic tissues, and aggravate