Effect of postburn serum on in vitro respiration of normal myocardium

¹ U. S. Naval Medical Field Research Laboratory, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

An in vitro respiratory system using normal guinea pig left ventricular myocardium is described. QO₂ values are given for this preparation incubated with representative substrates. A larger elevation in oxygen consumption is seen with linoleic acid as compared to other unesterified fatty acids tested. Serum obtained from dogs before and 15 min after flash burn was incubated with this heart slice system. No differences in oxygen uptake are noted between addition of control and postburn serum. No major serum enzymatic or chemical alterations are found at 15 min postburn. Plasma protein electrophoretic patterns remain unchanged at 15 and 40 min after injury. These results do not support the concept that the cardiac defect in early burn shock is caused by a circulating substance that either inhibits oxidation or uncouples oxidative phosphorylation by the myocardium.

Note:
(With the Technical Assistance of Ralph A. Abreo and Raburn Jackson)