Hypothalamic Neuroendocrine Correlates of Cutaneous Burn Injury in the Rat. I. Scanning Electron Microscopy
Abstract
Rats were given a standard scald burn on 60% of the body surface or only a sham burn and were sacrificed at intervals from 6 hr to 14 days later. Serum thyroxine T sub 4, free thyroxine index FT sub 4 I and triiodothyronine T sub 3 were depressed compared to values in respective shams as early as 6 hr post-burn. T sub 4 and FT sub 4 I were less depressed on post-burn days (PHBD)2- 3 than on PBD1 and then exhibited a further fall. T sub 3 remained depressed through PBD 14. Pineal melatonin content was elevated at 6 hr and fell to the normal daytime range in subsequent samples. These observations indicate that after peripheral injury there is marked plasticity of the brain in an area thought to control th endocrine systems that show abnormalities after such a peripheral injury. The timing, location and nature of these anatomic changes indicate the possibility that at least some aspects of central nervous orchestration of the endocrine metabolic response to injury may be related to the circuits along the surface of the third ventricular wall. These structures may appear in response to initial primary hormonal changes and/or may play a role in maintaining the post-injury hormonal milieu manifested in part by a subsequent second fall in serum T sub 4.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA175719
Entities
People
- Basil A. Pruitt Jr.
- David E. Scott
- George M. Vaughan