Large Animal Models of Burn Hypermetabolism
Abstract
Today, there continue to exist two explanations for the rise in metabolic heat production following burn injury. One school considers the increase in heat production to be thermoregulatory adjustments to compensate for the increased rate of evaporative heat loss across of surface wound. The other school suggests that the metabolic response to injury is a reflection of the increased energy cost of injury. They argue that the basic metabolic drive is sensitive to but independent of alterations in thermo regulation. Resolution of this controversy may depend on the development of an appropriate animal model, since the constraints of patient studies often preclude an in-depth search for basic mechanisms. If the metabolic response is purely a thermoregulatory adjustment, data collected from small fur-bearing models may be of questionable significance. Rats, for example, have a very limited metabolic response to injury, and unlike our patients, much of the extra metabolism can be eliminated by environmental heating. Over the last several years, we have tested the metabolic response to a 25% total day surface burn in two different large animal species.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 21, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADP004432
Entities
People
- L. H. Aulick
Organizations
- United States Army Institute of Surgical Research