Observations on the metabolism of selected proteins after burn injury

Coombes, Edward James (1981) Observations on the metabolism of selected proteins after burn injury. University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.

Abstract

The work presented describes changes in the levels of selected proteins in the serum, urine and blister fluid of human patients sustaining burn injury. The data is divided into three separate, though interrelated, sections. Section 1 is concerned with the enzyme Ribonuclease and its relationship with the end products of nitrogen balance and with the activities of other enzymes. Both serum and urine Ribonuclease activity was observed to be increased. Serum Ribonuclease activity peaked at days 10-14 post burn and may be of liver origin. Increased urine Ribonuclease activity corresponded to the increased excretion of urea, creatinine and urate.In section 2 lipoprotein changes were investigated. In serum High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) fell drastically. Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) decreased slightly whilst Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) rose. In blister fluid there was a greater loss of HDL than DL or apoprotein C, whilst in urine a small quantity of BDL was detected. The lose of HDL may lead to a block in the conversion of VOL to LDL and this may in part contribute to the lipid changes observed after burn injury. In the final section urine proteins were examined using immunoelectrophoresis. The amount of protein excreted in patients with severe burns was increased compared to patients with mild burns and to controls. Of the 'serum' proteins present in urine some glycoproteins were found to be in different relative proportions from those observed in serum. Three 'non-serum' proteins were found to contribute to total protein excretion. The results emphasise the extent and variability of the changes in protein metabolism after burn injury.

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