beta-carotene and Burns

Oxidative stress is one of the main causes of pathophysiological alterations observed during burn injury. The present pilot study aimed to determine whether a specific oral antioxidant supplementation could in any way influence free radical blood values in patients affected by superficial partial thickness burns.. Plasma oxidants and plasma antioxidant capacity were analysed in 20 superficial partial thickness burn patients for a 2-week period; patients were randomly divided into two groups, one of which was supported with a specifically designed oral antioxidant formula (Squalene 100 mg, Vitamin C 30 mg, Coenzyme Q10 10 mg, Zinc 5 mg, Beta Carotene 3.6 mg, Bioflavonoids 30 mg, Selenium 55 mcg) administered daily, starting from the day of admission, for the whole study period.. No significant differences were found in plasma oxidants and plasma antioxidant capacity between the two groups of patients.. These results did not reflect any significant benefits of an antioxidant oral supplementation at usual dosages when considering oxidative plasmatic values of superficial partial thickness burn patients.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Burns; Drug Combinations; Female; Flavonoids; Free Radicals; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Oxidative Stress; Pilot Projects; Ubiquinone; Young Adult

Lipid peroxidation products, lipid antioxidants, and hematologic and blood chemistry changes were evaluated in plasma of patients after acute burning injury involving 10% (n=8), 20% (n=8), and 40% (n=5) of total body surface area (TBSA), 24 h after burning (baseline) up to 30 days after. Markedly increased plasma levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) were observed at baseline in all patients, according to the extent of the injury, then the values declined progressively. However, levels of MDA remained above normal up to 30 days even in less injured patients. On the other hand, the plasma level of conjugated diene lipid hydroperoxides was only slightly higher than control at the baseline, then dropped under the control value in all patients. Cholesterol showed a marked fall at baseline, followed by a rapidly progressive decrease, indicating a massive loss of circulating lipids by the acute thermal injury. Because of such an extensive and rapidly spreading oxidative degradation of lipids, decomposition of conjugated diene hydroperoxides, produced in early stages of the peroxidation process, occurs, so these compounds cannot be a suitable index to value lipid oxidation in burned patients. Aldehydic products of lipid peroxidation act as endotoxins, causing damage to various tissues and organs. Damage to liver and decrease of erythrocyte survival were assessed by increased plasma levels of asparate and alanine transaminases, within 7-15 days after injury, and by a decreased number of red blood cells, which remained under the normal value at 30 days. A marked decrease of lipid antioxidants, beta-carotene, vitamin A and vitamin E was observed at baseline. The level of beta-carotene remained low in all patients at the end of the 30-day observation. A complete recovery of vitamin A did not occur at 30 days post-burn, even in the patients with 10% of burned TBSA. Plasma levels of vitamin E decreased significantly in 1-7 days after burn in all patients, but these levels increased thereafter, with almost total recovery at 30 days. These data show evidence of a marked, long-lasting oxidant/antioxidant imbalance in burned patients, in accordance with the severity of the injury, which is also reflected as systemic oxidant stress.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Alanine Transaminase; Aspartate Aminotransferases; beta Carotene; Burns; Child; Cholesterol; Erythrocyte Count; Erythrocytes; Humans; Lipid Peroxidation; Lipid Peroxides; Liver; Malondialdehyde; Middle Aged; Oxidative Stress; Time Factors; Vitamin A; Vitamin E

Topics: Adult; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Burns; Carotenoids; Enteral Nutrition; Female; Humans; Lycopene; Male; Middle Aged; Time Factors; Vitamin A; Vitamin E