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Oxygen-derived free radicals in burn injury

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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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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