Oxygen-derived free radicals in burn injury
Free radicals derived from oxygen are produced in a burn injury. The suggested mechanism of production is via:
- neutrophil ingress:
- free membrane phospholipids as a result of burn are a target for phospholipase A2
- this reaction along the arachidonic acid pathway produces neutrophil chemotaxins
- migrating neutrophils produce free radicals
- xanthine oxidase:
- present in endothelial cells
- stimulated by histamine and hence drugs which block the release of action of histamine may limit damage
- converts hypoxanthine to xanthine
- oxygen-derived free radicals generated as a by-product of this reaction
Additionally, as re-perfusion is established in the zone of stasis around a burn, the re-established supply of arterial oxygen can provide a substrate for further free radical production.
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